WORK AND PENSIONS

Departmental Data Protection

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many cases of (a) data loss and (b) breaches of confidentiality occurred in his Department in 2011.

Chris Grayling: The Department notifies the Information Commissioner of more serious incidents involving data security, and publishes details of such cases in the annual Resource Accounts. No incidents were notified in the period from 1 January 2011 to 31 March 2011.
	Details of any cases that have arisen during the remainder of 2011 will be published in the Resource Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2012, after the accounts have been finalised.
	Less serious incidents that arise are managed locally, and the details of these are not collated centrally. To do so would involve disproportionate cost.

Departmental Procurement

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of the total value of contracts issued or to be issued by his Department in 2011-12 have required successful organisations to put up a capital bond; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Grayling: In the financial year 2011-12 to date, the Department has not awarded any contracts where successful organisations have been required to put up a capital bond. For the remainder of the financial year, there are no contracts in train where such a bond will be required.

Departmental Procurement

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which contracts his Department has tendered or will tender in 2011-12 which require successful organisations to have a capital bond of more than £5 million; which contracts have not required such a bond; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Grayling: In the financial year 2011-12 to date, the Department has not tendered or awarded any contracts where successful organisations have been required to put up a capital bond of more than £5 million. For the remainder of the financial year, there are no contracts in train where a capital bond of £5 million or more will be required.

Departmental Responsibilities

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to his Department's delivery plan, what milestones were not achieved in 2011; and whether there are any milestones he expects not to achieve in 2012.

Chris Grayling: All the milestones listed in the 2011-15 Department for Work and Pensions' business plan are monitored on a continual basis and progress reports are published each month on the Department's website. The three milestones for which the Department missed implementation in 2011, along with the reasons for having done so as appeared on the Department's website, are as follows:
	(i) action 3.1 (iii): Introduce jobseeker's allowance for lone parents whose youngest child is 5 or over.
	Reason for missing implementation:
	The introduction of this change is linked to the Welfare Reform Bill 2011 gaining Royal Assent. This change cannot be introduced until two months after the Bill gains Royal Assent.
	(ii) action 4.7(ii): Publish the Government's response to the Green Paper on state pension reform.
	Reason for missing implementation:
	The Government's consultation on options for reforming the state pension system for future pensioners ended on June 24, 2011 and we published a summary of responses on 27 July, 2011. We are continuing to consider the issue of state pension reform. Once a decision is taken we will publish a White Paper and impact assessment as part of the usual process.
	(iii) action 6.2(ii): Reduce follow-on queries from 80 million automated letters issued each year.
	Reason for missing implementation:
	The Department has decided that there would be little benefit in progressing the Transforming Letters project in a cost-effective way before the planned introduction of universal credit. Although the underpinning technology will be re-used in universal credit, the programme of changes between now and the introduction of the new benefit would be largely nugatory and the Department has decided, therefore, to close the project early. Final closure activities are now well-advanced and we expect the project will terminate later this year.
	As of 31 January 2012, actions 3.1(iii) and 4.7(h) remain outstanding.
	The Department is currently reviewing its commitments for 2012 and these are due to be published in its business plan in the spring.

E-mail

Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will take steps to encourage the use of e-mail in preference to printed correspondence for communications between his Department and hon. Members.

Chris Grayling: The Department will want to consider this issue in the light of the views of hon. and right hon. Members and having taken account of previous and existing experiments of the use of e-mail in preference to printed correspondence.

Employment and Support Allowance: Pensions

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for what reasons people in receipt of contributory-based employment and support allowance (ESA) receive a lower rate of ESA if they have saved for a pension.

Chris Grayling: Employment and support allowance (ESA) is intended to provide a measure of income replacement for sick and disabled people of working age. Where people have a significant personal pension or have retired from their regular occupation with a significant occupational pension before reaching state pension age, we believe it is right to take some account of that pension income in deciding the amount of contributory benefit that they should receive. Before the introduction of ESA, this was already a well-established principle within other contribution-based benefits, such as incapacity benefit and contributory jobseeker's allowance.
	In calculating entitlement to contributory ESA, the first £85 of any occupational and personal pension income is disregarded, along with half of any excess. The threshold is regularly reviewed as part of the annual benefits uprating exercise. Given its other priorities, in particular making work pay and the state of the public finances, the Government considered that the disregard remained set at a reasonable level and decided that it was not appropriate to increase it.

Farms: Accidents

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of accidents on farms in (a) England, (b) Cumbria and (c) Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency in each of the last five years.

Chris Grayling: HSE holds details of fatal and non-fatal injuries to workers (i.e. employees and the self-employed) and members of the public on farms reported to it under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR). It should be noted however that the Labour Force Survey suggests significant underreporting in this industry.
	The details of injuries sustained to workers and members of the public recorded by HSE are set out in the following tables. The data for 2010-11 is treated as provisional until April 2012.
	
		
			 England 
			  Workers Members of public 
			  Fatal Major Over 3 day Total Fatal Non-fatal Total 
			 2006-07 19 284 459 762 5 39 44 
			 2007-08 27 336 514 877 1 46 47 
			 2008-09 16 352 532 900 4 38 42 
			 2009-10 28 393 524 945 3 61 64 
			 2010-11(1) 18 284 456 758 6 45 51 
			 Total 108 1,649 2,485 4,242 19 229 248 
		
	
	
		
			 Cumbria 
			  Workers Members of public 
			  Fatal Major Over 3 day Total Fatal Non-fatal Total 
			 2006-07 1 11 4 16 0 0 0 
			 2007-08 3 8 6 17 0 0 0 
			 2008-09 1 6 2 9 0 0 0 
			 2009-10 2 7 5 14 0 1 1 
			 2010-11(1) 2 6 6 14 0 2 2 
			 Total 9 38 23 70 0 3 3 
		
	
	
		
			 South Lakeland (2) 
			  Workers Members of public 
			  Fatal Major Over 3 day Total Fatal Non-fatal Total 
			 2006-07 0 3 0 3 0 0 0 
			 2007-08 2 2 2 6 0 0 0 
			 2008-09 1 1 1 3 0 0 0 
			 2009-10 1 1 2 4 0 0 0 
			 2010-11(1) 1 1 1 3 0 1 1 
			 Total 5 8 6 19 0 1 1 
			 (1) Provisional.( 2 )The statistics cannot be broken down to the level of the Westmoreland and Lonsdale constituency.

Farms: Accidents

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department is taking to improve safety on farms.

Chris Grayling: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigates reported fatal and selected non-fatal injuries and complaints made about poor health and safety practices on farms.
	HSE also actively promotes health and safety on farms through a programme of farming safety and health awareness days (SHADs) in England, Scotland and Wales. SHADs are half-day training events based on practical demonstrations of everyday hazards faced by farmers, farming families and workers. The events target family farmers, the self-employed and those employing up to four people.
	Formally, HSE promotes health and safety in the industry through the work of its Agriculture Industry Advisory Committee. This committee provides a mechanism for bringing together and consulting with the industry and for helping to set priorities to promote the attitudinal and cultural changes required if there is to be sustainable improvement in the industry's health and safety performance.
	Over the past 12-15 months, HSE has specifically been working in partnership with the key industry stakeholders and, among other things, is supporting the Farm Industry Safety Partnerships led by the National Farmers Union (NFU) and the similar group in Wales led by NFU Cymru. HSE is currently exploring the scope for further partnership working in Scotland with NFU Scotland and other stakeholders. These partnerships are actively developing a range of activities and initiatives to promote health and safety through their respective memberships.

Jobcentre Plus: Training

Simon Hart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what training programmes Jobcentre Plus staff undertake to ensure they remain qualified to offer (a) careers and (b) benefits advice to job seekers.

Chris Grayling: Jobcentre Plus staff receive comprehensive learning which includes exploring all aspects connected with finding, getting and keeping a job—as required by current benefit regulations; this learning is frequently updated. With regard to offering careers advice to jobseekers, although Jobcentre Plus staff are experts in job search activities, for any in depth careers advice for jobseekers we work in partnership with the local careers services who have staff fully qualified in careers advice.
	The learning for the advisory teams has recently been enhanced to cover benefit conditionality, a benefits quick reference guide and other recent Government initiatives. The learning programme supports individuals in advising the jobseeker about benefit conditionality and expected roles and responsibilities. They can also give jobseekers an idea of benefits and indicative income they would be entitled to if they started or increased their hours of work by providing better calculations and encouraging jobseekers to use the online support provided by the Benefit Adviser Service.
	There are a number of supporting products and guidance in place to assist advisers in providing advice to jobseekers. These products include a new Adviser Knowledge Hub, which is an easily accessible intranet platform, designed to bring together information and intelligence about the labour market into one place. There is also the Advisory Services Team Intranet site, which is a key communication tool regularly used by Managers and Advisers to access key information and news updates relating to their work. Jobcentre Plus guidance for advisers is maintained by expert teams who review the guidance regularly to ensure it is up to date and fit for purpose.

UN Conventions on the Rights of the Child

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the compatibility of the provisions of the Welfare Reform Bill with the UN Conventions on the Rights of the Child; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Miller: The Government have considered the compatibility of the Bill with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and are satisfied that the provisions are compatible.

Universal Credit

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to provide information on the different sections of universal credit which are being paid when it is paid as a single payment.

Chris Grayling: As a result of feedback from expert users and claimants during development, UC payment screens have been designed to include a payment overview screen which displays the main components of UC and a detailed payment screen which shows a full payment breakdown.

Universal Credit

Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what effect the introduction of universal credit will have on the income of people who receive disability living allowance and become councillors.

Chris Grayling: Disability living allowance (DLA) will be disregarded as income in the calculation of universal credit. Personal independence payment, which will replace DLA, initially for people of working age (16 to 64) from 2013 will be treated in the same way. DLA and PIP will be separate benefits outside universal credit and will not be means tested. They will continue to be paid to people both in and out of work. Allowances for councillors, less relevant expenses, are currently treated as earnings in certain income-related benefits. We are considering how best to take such earned income into account under universal credit and work is ongoing.

Work Programme

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many employer contacts his Department has made to confirm that a Work Programme participant has ceased to receive benefits since the inception of the Work Programme.

Chris Grayling: The Department will begin conducting in work checks in relation to the Work Programme in April 2012.

Work Programme: Scotland

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  which organisations participating in the Work Programme are providing work placements in Scotland;
	(2)  which organisations provide mandatory work placements through Work Programme prime providers in Scotland; and where such organisations are based;
	(3)  which organisations applied to provide mandatory work placements through the Work Programme in Scotland but were not engaged by the prime provider; and where those organisations are based.

Chris Grayling: The Work Programme is totally flexible to meet the needs of individuals, with no fixed or obligatory elements. Providers may offer work placements to meet the needs of some individual participants, but the Department does not hold details of individual placements or organisations offering work placements as this is a commercial matter between providers and any interested organisations.

Work Programme: Scotland

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which organisations have applied to be mandatory work placement providers in Scotland; which organisations have been accepted; and where those organisations are based.

Chris Grayling: The JHP Group, The Wise Group, Ingeus Deloitte, Reed and Atos all applied to be mandatory work activity providers in Scotland. JHP were identified as the successful supplier.
	The head offices of the organisations are as follows:
	JHP Group–Coventry
	The Wise Group–Glasgow
	Ingeus Deloitte—London
	Reed in Partnership–Southwark
	Atos—London.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Common Fisheries Policy

Sheryll Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which countries have European Partnership Agreements under the Common Fisheries Policy; and how much expenditure has been incurred under each agreement.

Richard Benyon: The following table sets out the EU fisheries partnership agreements currently in force and the annual financial contribution under each.
	
		
			 Country Per year EU contribution (€) 
			 Greenland 15,874,244 
			 Guinea Bissau 7,500,000 
			 Mauritania 86,000,000 
			 Cape-Verde 445,000 
			 Ivory Coast 595,000 
			 Sao Tome and Principe 663,000 
			 Comoros 390,000 
			 Madagascar 1,197,000 
			 Mozambique 980,000 
			 Seychelles 5,600,000 
			 Kiribati 478,400 
			 Micronesia 559,000 
			 Solomon Islands 400,000 
		
	
	In addition, the EU has a number of fisheries partnership agreements that have lapsed or are currently dormant with Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Mauritius and Senegal. The agreement with Morocco is currently suspended.

Conservation of Seals Act 1970

Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what consideration her Department has given to replacing the Conservation of Seals Act 1970 with a Protection of Seals Act.

Richard Benyon: The Conservation of Seals Act 1970 in combination with other legislation is the appropriate mechanism for protecting seals in England, as it strikes the right and proportionate balance between the conservation of seal populations and the needs of those impacted upon by individual problem seals.
	The Law Commission announced its 11(th) Programme of work on 19 July 2011. This includes a project to look at how wildlife management legislation, including the Conservation of Seals Act, can be reformed. This project will focus on reform of the enabling framework so regulation is more effective, rather than changing our existing policy objectives. The Law Commission will report its conclusions in February 2013.

Marine Conservation Zones

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 28 November 2011, Official Report, columns 655-6W, on marine conservation zones, what discussions her Department has had with Natural England on funding for work related to marine conservation zones from 1 April 2012; on what dates such discussions took place; and what additional resources will be provided by (a) her Department and (b) Natural England for carrying out seabed and habitat monitoring (i) from 1 April 2012 and (ii) in the next three years.

Richard Benyon: We continue to work closely with both Natural England and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee on all aspects of work related to the development and designation of Marine Conservation Zones. I have already announced that DEFRA will provide approximately £3.5 million over the next three years for seabed and habitat monitoring. Discussions in relation to the full range of funding allocations and resources for Natural England and The Joint Nature Conservation Committee, including for work on Marine Conservation Zones, are ongoing and final decisions have not yet been taken.

Roads: Litter

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she plans to hold a summit on roadside litter.

Richard Benyon: In March, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Meriden (Mrs Spelman), will host a meeting of representatives from the vehicle sector, including hirers, manufacturers, trade associations, retailers and others, to discuss the voluntary actions they can take to help alleviate the problem of littering from vehicles.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Information and Communications Technology

Thomas Docherty: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, what the value is of the contract awarded by PICT to Hardcat to support the audit of IT hardware on the parliamentary estate.

John Thurso: The value of the contract for the audit of IT hardware across both Houses of Parliament is £16,875. This includes visiting all locations and reconciling the data collected with existing records.

Information and Communications Technology

Thomas Docherty: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, what assessment PICT made of the ability of in-house staff to perform the audit of IT hardware on the parliamentary estate before awarding the contract to Hardcat.

John Thurso: PICT considered before awarding the contract which parts of the work could best be done by its own staff and which should be contracted out. The audit is being conducted in part by parliamentary ICT staff. It has proved helpful in the past to have the supplier of the database, in this case Hardcat, involved in the data collection and reconciliation process to address any issues that arise. The contractors employed specialise in this work and are able to complete the task quickly with minimal disruption.

Trees

Thomas Docherty: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, 
	(1)  how many trees there are on the Commons part of the parliamentary estate;
	(2)  how many trees on the Commons part of the parliamentary estate are (a) owned by the House and (b) rented;
	(3)  what the monetary value is of the contract for rental of fig trees in Portcullis House; when that contract ceases; and what estimate he has made of the current monetary value of the fig trees.

John Thurso: There are 145 trees on the Commons part of the parliamentary estate, as follows:
	Speakers Green—one mulberry tree and one ash tree
	New Palace Yard—117 limes making up the Lime Arbour, eight catalpa trees
	North Terrace next to Portcullis House—five olive trees
	1 Canon Row—one small tree just inside the gate (shared ownership with the Department of Health)
	Portcullis House—12 fig trees.
	Trees forming part of hedges or bushes have not been included in these figures.
	All the trees on the Commons part of the parliamentary estate are owned by the House, with the exception of the tree at 1 Canon Row (shared ownership) and the 12 fig trees in Portcullis House, which are leased under contract from Plant Care.
	The contract for the hire and maintenance of the trees is with Plant Care. The annual payment for the trees (excluding VAT, which is reclaimed), is as follows:
	Hire: £12,000
	Upkeep: £20,486.
	This is a rolling contract with an annual renewal date in September.
	Plant Care has quoted a value of £6,600 per tree, which includes the cost of purchase of the planters and equipment. No independent valuation has been made.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

HomeSwap Direct Scheme

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the HomeSwap Direct scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Grant Shapps: HomeSwap Direct increases opportunities for social tenants who wish to find a new home by allowing tenants looking for a swap to see details of every possible property nationwide, no matter which mutual exchange website their landlord has chosen to subscribe to. The scheme has operated very successfully since its launch in October 2011 with tenants carrying out over 280,000 searches of the property data held on HomeSwap Direct.

HomeSwap Direct Scheme

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the HomeSwap Direct scheme at screening out sub-letting of council and registered social landlord properties; and if he will make a statement.

Grant Shapps: In addition to the Government's current £20 million package to help landlords tackle social housing fraud, a consultation was launched on 11 January that put forward proposals that would increase the deterrent to tenants considering cheating the system, allow those who do cheat to be detected more easily and punished more severely, and encourage social landlords to take a more proactive approach to tackling tenancy fraud.
	The consultation runs until 4 April and can be found at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/pdf/2064044.pdf
	HomeSwap Direct was launched in October 2011 to allow social tenants who wish to move through a mutual exchange to see details of all possible properties nationwide. It is the responsibility of landlords to check tenant records before approving an exchange.
	The scheme has operated very successfully since its launch, with tenants carrying out over 280,000 searches of the property data held on HomeSwap Direct.

Procurement

Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much was spent on procuring products and services by each local authority in 2010-11.

Bob Neill: I have today placed in the Library of the House a table showing procurement expenditure in 2010-11 for each local authority in England.
	This represents £61 billion of spending of taxpayers' money. Ministers are clear that this is significant scope for major savings in local authority procurement, to save taxpayers' money, help pay off the deficit inherited from the last Administration, and support improved frontline services.
	My Department has been supporting the Local Productivity Programme developed by the local government sector and led by the Local Government Association.
	The Government are looking at ways to improve access to tenders and procurement opportunities to small and medium firms, including promoting greater use of Contract Finder; this is a potential win to both British firms and local councils.
	The Government have been cutting unnecessary procurement red-tape, such as removing Pre-Qualification Questionnaires for procurements below £100,000; such requirements have previously discouraged small business from tendering opportunities.
	Given councils a new general power of competence via the Localism Act, which will remove legal barriers to greater innovation and partnership working.
	More broadly, there are a series of practical steps that councils should be taking:
	embracing transparency on spending, tenders, contracts and property assets, as required by the new “Code of Recommended Practice for Local Authorities on Data Transparency”,
	introducing new checks and balances on Government Procurement Card and other corporate credit card spending, as recommended by Sir Philip Green's report on government efficiency; over 220 councils use Government Procurement Cards;
	undertaking data analysis of such transparency information to identify savings;
	tackling procurement fraud, estimated by the National Fraud Authority to cost local government £855 million a year;
	eliminating duplicate spending: research by Experian has estimated that councils could be losing a significant amount every year in duplicate payments;
	increasing joint working and bulk buying, including the sharing of back office services and senior staff; and
	using electronic auctions, reducing multiple suppliers, negotiating hard on contracts and promoting competition between suppliers.
	The Government are working to simplify EU legislation, however, it is clear that some councils have gold-plated EU Procurement Guidance.
	Councils now need to change the way they think about commissioning services. It is not necessarily about sticking to what they have always done but instead asking the market to provide innovative and cost-effective ways to deliver the services that residents want. This will require a change of attitude in some councils:
	prioritising local objectives above institutions;
	countering the “this is the way we have always done it” approach and not being afraid to think differently;
	not using or blaming procurement rules to make the process slow and cumbersome; and
	engaging with potential providers at earlier stage around the design and delivery of solutions and building more long term relationships.
	The Open Public Services White Paper and the growth review called for public services to be open to a range of providers to drive lower costs, innovation, greater community involvement and offer new opportunities to business.
	When trying to balance their bills, householders look closely at where all their money is going, change suppliers, shop around and hunt out the bargains. Town halls need to follow exactly the same advice.

Written Questions: Government Responses

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he plans to answer question 91633 tabled by the hon. Member for Leeds West on 20 January 2012 for answer on 25 January 2012.

Bob Neill: Question 91633 was answered on 22 February 2012, Official Report, column 834W.

CABINET OFFICE

Advisory Services

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 
	(1)  whether he plans to seek confirmation from the devolved Administrations in (a) Wales, (b) Scotland and (c) Northern Ireland that the consequential funding from the Government's allocation of funds to support not-for-profit free advice services has been used for equivalent purposes; and which agencies have received that funding;
	(2)  whether his officials have held discussions with officials from devolved Administrations in (a) Scotland, (b) Wales and (c) Northern Ireland on the distribution of funding announced in November 2011 for not-for-profit free advice services in England.

Nick Hurd: Cabinet Office agreed to oversee the administration of the English portion of the £20 million only—£16.8 million for the Advice Services Fund (ASF). Allocation of public expenditure between the services under the control of the devolved Administrations is for the devolved Administrations to determine.

Advisory Services

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much and what proportion of the funding allocated to not-for-profit free advice services in England had been distributed on the latest date for which figures are available; and to which agencies such funding has been allocated.

Nick Hurd: Big Fund, who is administering the £16.8 million Advice Services Fund (ASF) grant on behalf of the Cabinet Office, sent out conditional offer letters to successful applicants at the end of January. Big Fund is currently carrying out appropriate checks on organisations; hence to date no money has been distributed. A final list of successful applicants will be published on the Big Fund website in March 2012.

Advisory Services

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when consequential funds from the £20 million for not-for-profit free advice services were made available to the devolved Administrations in (a) Scotland, (b) Wales and (c) Northern Ireland to draw down.

Nick Hurd: Additional funding was made available to the devolved Administrations for 2011-12 in the 2011-12 supplementary estimates.

Advisory Services

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what proportion of the £3.2 million allocated to the devolved administrations as consequential funding for not-for-profit free advice services was made available to the (a) Welsh Assembly Government, (b) Scottish Government and (c) Northern Ireland Executive.

Nick Hurd: The £3.2 million funding for not-for-profit free advice services has been apportioned in the following way:
	
		
			  £ million 
			 Scotland 1.679 
			 Wales 0.967 
			 Northern Ireland 0.553

Departmental Advisory Services

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what progress has been made in his Department's cross-government review of funding for the advice sector; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Hurd: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 20 February 2012, Official Report, column 596W.

Senior Civil Servants: Training

Keith Vaz: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of the Major Projects Leadership Academy.

Francis Maude: Any investment in the Major Projects Leadership Academy (MPLA) will in the long run, increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the Government's major projects, and will save taxpayers' money.
	The project is still in its pilot phase. The overall cost will depend on the final form.

Senior Civil Servants: Training

Keith Vaz: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office which projects have been chosen and approved to participate in the Major Projects Leadership Academy.

Francis Maude: Project Leaders (Senior Responsible Owners and Project Directors) from each of the Major Projects and Programmes that make up the Government's Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP), will be eligible to participate in the Major Projects Leadership Academy. The Academy will ensure that, for the first time, proper rigorous training and support will be in place for major project leaders.
	We are in the process of finalising the first cohort of 25 project leaders for Phase One of the Academy roll out.

Senior Civil Servants: Training

Keith Vaz: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many civil servants will be eligible to apply to the Major Projects Leadership Academy.

Francis Maude: Projects Leaders (Senior Responsible Owners and Project Directors) of all of the Government's Major Projects and Programmes are eligible to be considered for the Major Projects Leadership Academy.

Working Hours: Scotland

William Bain: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the average hours worked were by people employed in each (a) local authority area in Scotland and (b) parliamentary constituency in Scotland in each of the last 12 months.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated February 2012
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what the average hours worked were by people employed in each (a) local authority area in Scotland and (b) Parliamentary constituency in Scotland in each of the last 12 months (95773).
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles statistics on Average Hours Worked from the Annual Population Survey (APS). Monthly estimates for the requested geographies are not available from this source.
	As an alternative the following tables give the mean actual number of hours worked per worker per week for the geographies requested for the 12 month APS periods ending June 2010 and June 2011, the latest period for which figures are available.
	As with any sample survey, estimates from the APS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	
		
			 Mean hours worked per worker per week (1)  by local authority area in Scotland 
			  12 months ending: 
			  June 2010 June 2011 
			 Aberdeen City 31.7 30.0 
			 Aberdeenshire 32.7 32.1 
			 Angus 30.9 31.8 
			 Argyll and Bute 31.6 31.7 
			 Scottish Borders, The 30.9 30.5 
			 Clackmannanshire 31.5 34.0 
			 West Dunbartonshire 31.3 30.0 
			 Dumfries and Galloway 31.3 32.4 
			 Dundee City 30.8 29.1 
			 East Ayrshire 30.1 32.3 
			 East Dunbartonshire 31.6 31.6 
			 East Lothian 31.7 30.7 
			 East Renfrewshire 32.0 32.4 
			 Edinburgh, City of 32.4 31.5 
			 Falkirk 33.0 30.1 
			 Fife 32.0 30.8 
			 Glasgow City 31.3 31.0 
			 Highland 31.4 30.1 
			 Inverclyde 30.6 31.3 
			 Midlothian 30.6 30.5 
			 Moray 33.2 32.1 
			 North Ayrshire 30.6 31.4 
			 North Lanarkshire 32.2 32.6 
			 Orkney Islands 31.5 30.6 
			 Perth and Kinross 32.4 32.0 
			 Renfrewshire 30.7 30.1 
		
	
	
		
			 Mean hours worked per worker per week (1)  by parliamentary constituency in Scotland 
			  12 months ending: 
			  June 2010 June 2011 
			 Aberdeen North 33.4 30.0 
			 Aberdeen South 30.9 30.5 
			 Airdrie and Shotts 32.6 33.2 
			 Angus 31.4 32.2 
			 Argyll and Bute 31.6 31.7 
			 Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock 30.5 32.0 
			 Banff and Buchan 32.6 32.5 
			 Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk 31.2 30.8 
			 Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross 30.8 29.3 
			 Central Ayrshire 31.5 30.7 
			 Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill 30.2 31.5 
			 Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch 34.1 33.0 
			 Dumfries and Galloway 31.4 32.8 
			 Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale 31.4 31.5 
			 Dundee East 30.3 29.8 
			 Dundee West 30.9 28.7 
			 Dunfermline and West Fife 32.0 31.3 
			 East Dunbartonshire 30.9 31.2 
			 East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow 30.5 32.4 
			 East Lothian 31.7 30.7 
			 East Renfrewshire 32.0 32.4 
			 Edinburgh East 30.5 31.7 
			 Edinburgh North and Leith 33.4 30.7 
			 Edinburgh South 33.8 33.9 
			 Edinburgh South West 31.9 30.5 
			 Edinburgh West 32.3 31.4 
			 Falkirk 32.5 29.7 
			 Glasgow Central 30.0 33.2 
			 Glasgow East 29.8 28.5 
			 Glasgow North 34.4 31.4 
			 Glasgow North East 32.1 29.1 
			 Glasgow North West 30.5 31.8 
			 Glasgow South 32.8 32.2 
			 Glasgow South West 28.8 29.3 
			 Glenrothes 31.7 29.6 
			 Gordon 31.9 32.2 
			 Inverclyde 30.6 31.3 
			 Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey 32.1 30.5 
			 Kilmarnock and Loudoun 30.5 31.7 
			 Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath 29.1 30.0 
			 Lanark and Hamilton East 32.6 30.7 
			 Linlithgow and East Falkirk 32.3 31.4 
			 Livingston 32.5 32.4 
			 Midlothian 30.6 30.5 
			 Moray 33.2 32.1 
			 Motherwell and Wishaw 32.5 32.6 
			 Na h-Eileanan an Iar 27.5 36.3 
			 North Ayrshire and Arran 30.4 31.5 
			 North East Fife 35.2 32.0 
			 Ochil and South Perthshire 32.2 33.2 
			 Orkney and Shetland 31.5 30.3 
		
	
	
		
			 Paisley and Renfrewshire North 31.8 30.7 
			 Paisley and Renfrewshire South 29.4 29.5 
			 Perth and North Perthshire 32.1 31.9 
			 Ross, Skye and Lochaber 30.6 30.1 
			 Rutherglen and Hamilton West 30.6 30.3 
			 Stirling 30.4 30.4 
			 West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine 32.6 30.7 
			 West Dunbartonshire 31.3 29.9 
			 (1 )Average actual hours worked per week in main and second job, including paid and unpaid overtime, includes those who did not state whether they work full or part-time. Source: Annual Population Survey

HEALTH

Accident and Emergency Departments: Waiting Lists

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish waiting time data for the Accident and Emergency Department of Northwick Park Hospital; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Burns: The Department publishes weekly statistics for accident and emergency (A&E) activity at national health service trust level on its website. The data for week ending 5 February 2012 can be accessed at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Statistics/Performancedataandstatistics/WeeklySituationReports/index.htm
	The NHS Information Centre also publishes data on A&E clinical quality indicators at NHS trust level, drawn from A&E data within provisional Hospital Episode Statistics. Data relating to A&E attendances in September 2011 can be accessed at:
	www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/hospital-care/accident-and-emergency-hospital-episode-statistics-hes

Cardiovascular System: Health Services

Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to prevent acute myocardial infarction.

Simon Burns: The NHS Health Check programme is a national public health programme for people in England aged 40 to 74. The purpose of the programme is to identify an individual's risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and diabetes, and for that risk to be managed through appropriate follow up.
	The programme is aimed at tackling inequalities. Primary care trusts are, therefore, commissioning programmes which aim to reach those who are not in touch with formal health care.
	Issues around the prevention of coronary heart disease will be considered as part of the development of the forthcoming Cardiovascular Disease Outcomes Strategy.

Contraceptives

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the Answer of 12 December 2011, Official Report, column 541W, on contraceptives, 
	(1)  what elements his Department believes should be included in the commissioning of appropriate confidential, open-access sexual health services;
	(2)  what his Department's definition is of appropriate in relation to the commissioning of confidential, open-access sexual health services;
	(3)  what criteria his Department plans that (a) Public Health England and (b) the Care Quality Commission will use to assess whether sexual health services being commissioned are appropriate to meet the needs of their users.

Paul Burstow: Subject to the passage of the Health and Social Care Bill, there will be a small number of functions that local authorities (LAs) will be mandated to commission. One of these functions will be appropriate access to sexual health services, including contraception. Our intention is to mandate Las to provide open access contraception services, to ensure that there is reasonable provision of all methods of contraception, and to ensure that contraception is supplied free of charge. LAs will need to make decisions about how services should be provided in order to fulfil this mandate. These arrangements are similar to the requirements currently placed on primary care trusts.
	Public Health England will provide services, expertise, information and advice to LAs to help them to undertake both mandated and non-mandated functions. The Care Quality Commission will continue to regulate any sexual health services which are registered with the Commission because they are undertaking regulated activities.

Infectious Diseases

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps Public Health England will take to track and monitor infectious diseases; what (a) role and (b) responsibilities directors of public health will have in managing local outbreaks.

Anne Milton: The public health White Paper, “Healthy Lives, Healthy People: Our strategy for public health in England”, published in November 2010, set out the Government's ambitious programme to improve public health. Subject to Parliament, from April 2013 the reforms will allow upper tier and unitary local authorities to take the lead for improving health and co-ordinating local efforts to protect the public's health and well-being.
	To support this new local leadership role, we intend to establish a new executive agency, Public Health England. Public Health England will bring together the wide range of public health specialists and bodies into one integrated public health service.
	Public Health England will carry out nationwide and specialist functions for public health. This will include surveillance of infectious diseases, an expert function currently carried out by the Health Protection Agency. Public Health England will build on the Health Protection Agency's record in demonstrating scientific and analytical rigour. It will be dedicated to providing impartial and objective advice, evidence and expert judgment and taking action based oh the best available evidence.
	Upper tier and unitary local authorities will have a duty to ensure plans are in place to protect their local populations from a range of threats to their health. Directors of public health in each upper tier and unitary local authority will be responsible for delivering this function. Working closely with Public Health England, the director of public health will lead the response to a local public health incident, keeping the local national health service emergency lead fully informed.

Midwives

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of the places commissioned for student midwives in the 2011-12 academic year were filled.

Paul Burstow: The Department collects the number of midwifery training commissions filled by students by financial year, rather than academic year.
	The actual number of training commissions in 2011-12 will be collected after the end of the financial year and will be available by mid May 2012.
	However, at the beginning of the 2011-12, strategic health authorities (SHAs) planned a total of 2,472 midwifery training commissions. By the end of December 2011, SHAs had commissioned 2,241 (90.7%) midwifery training places and forecast a further 226 (9.1%) places to be commissioned in the final quarter of the year. This equates to a planned shortfall of just five (0.2%) midwifery training commissions against the initial SHA plans.

Midwives

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the analysis of the midwifery workforce undertaken by the Centre for Workforce Intelligence; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Burstow: The Centre for Workforce Intelligence will be starting this work in March 2012 and are not expected to deliver their final report until autumn 2012.

Midwives

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he expects information on the numbers of (a) midwives, (b) student midwives and (c) births, currently published on a regional basis, in future to be published at the level of strategic health authority clusters.

Paul Burstow: The number of student midwifery commissions is collected by the Department as part of the Multi-Professional Education and Training financial information management returns submitted by strategic health authorities and is in the public domain. It will be aggregated to cluster level during the next financial year.
	The numbers of births and midwives are not collected by the Department. The annual birth statistics are collected and published by the Office of National Statistics and the number of midwives is collected by the NHS Information Centre. We are not aware that either of these organisations have plans to change the way their data are collated or published.

Patients: Illegal Immigrants

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which primary care trusts have a policy of not allowing illegal immigrants to register for treatment.

Simon Burns: The Department is not aware of any primary care trusts (PCTs) that have a policy of not allowing illegal immigrants to register for treatment.
	We are aware that there is some confusion among general practitioners (GPs) and PCTs regarding eligibility for people not living permanently in this country to access free national health service primary care. On 18 March 2011, the Government announced a further review regarding charging foreign nationals for NHS services that will include whether GP or other NHS services outside of hospitals should be charged for.
	The review will be thorough and consultative, and will take full account of NHS values, public health needs and humanitarian obligations. We expect that developed proposals will be ready for further consultation this year.

Prostate Cancer: Health Services

Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of progress with the National Cancer Equality Initiative aimed at improving outcomes for men with prostate cancer.

Paul Burstow: The National Cancer Equality Initiative (NCEI) is a partnership between the Government, the national health service, professionals, patients, academics and the voluntary sector, aiming to improve outcomes by reducing inequalities and promoting equality for patients with all types of cancer.
	The NCEI has established a basket of equality metrics, which are being used nationally and locally to track progress and lever improvements to cancer services. The metrics have been disseminated through the Equalities Portal:
	www.ncin.org.uk/equalities/
	which has a specific section on prostate cancer.
	The NCEI is working with Macmillan Cancer Support and Age UK on a £1 million programme to improve cancer care for older people, which will help us to deliver improved outcomes by ensuring that older people's needs are properly assessed and met. Three of the five pilot areas (Merseyside and Cheshire Cancer Network, South East London Cancer Network, and Sussex Cancer Network) are looking at urological cancers, including prostate cancer.
	The Department, the National Cancer Action team (NCAT) and The Prostate Cancer Charity have worked with Newham Primary Care Trust and Newham University Hospital NHS Trust to pilot the Newham Prostate Health Drop-in Clinic. The community walk-in clinic for men with prostate concerns was held at the Newham African-Caribbean Resource Centre, and a formal evaluation will be published in due course.
	Under the umbrella of the NCEI, NCAT has undertaken a number of projects related to reducing inequalities for men with prostate cancer as part of its black and minority ethnic (BME) programme. In July 2011, as part of Ethnic Minority Cancer Awareness Week, NCAT produced a health supplement for
	The Voice
	newspaper, reaching more than 60,000 people of African and African Caribbean origin. The supplement had a full page dedicated to raising the awareness of prostate cancer, including key facts, symptoms and what to look for, and testing for prostate cancer. As part of the ‘Cancer does not discriminate’ initiative, community ambassadors are working in partnership with the Spectrum Radio Network to produce two specific interviews on prostate cancer, which aired on London Bangla Radio for the Bangladeshi community and Radio Focus for the Ghanaian community. NCAT has also set up The National BME Cancer Voice, an initiative to provide a voice for BME patients, including prostate cancer patients, and their carers to improve cancer services.

INDEPENDENT PARLIAMENTARY STANDARDS AUTHORITY COMMITTEE

Departmental Data Protection

David Davis: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, how many cases of (a) data loss and (b) breaches of confidentiality occurred in the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority in 2011.

Charles Walker: It has not been possible to provide a response to this question by the named day. An answer will be provided as soon as possible.

Departmental Meetings

Bob Russell: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, what the dates were of meetings between representatives of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority and Government Ministers since 1 September 2011; which Ministers were in attendance on each occasion; whether matters relating to the pensions of hon. Members were discussed at each meeting; what the outcome was of each meeting; what other matters were discussed; and if he will publish the minutes taken of each meeting.

Charles Walker: It has not been possible to provide a response to this question by the named day. An answer will be provided as soon as possible.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Armed Forces: Housing

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will estimate the number of service family accommodation properties that will benefit from the Green Deal.

Gregory Barker: DECC and Ministry of Defence officials are working together to ensure that service family accommodation benefits from the high levels of energy efficiency which can be delivered by the Green Deal. However, accommodation for service families is provided on a different basis to typical tenancy arrangements and so officials are also investigating whether an adapted approach could be taken which would be more suitable for service family accommodation.

British Antarctic Survey

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what support his Department gives to the British Antarctic Survey.

Gregory Barker: DECC provided no funding for the British Antarctic Survey.

Civil Nuclear Export Showcase

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change for what reason he authorised Her Majesty's Chief Nuclear Inspector to attend the January 2012 Civil Nuclear Export Showcase organised by UK Trade and Investment in partnership with the Nuclear Industry Association; and what the cost to his Department was of the Chief Nuclear Inspector's participation.

Chris Grayling: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.
	HM Chief Nuclear Inspector attended and addressed the Showcase at the invitation of UK Trade and Investment. His presentation provided a platform for the Chief Inspector to reinforce the importance of nuclear safety and security as an issue at the heart of nuclear development work and explore the lessons learnt from the Fukushima event in March 2011. His travel and subsistence costs associated with the event were approximately £300.00 which are recovered from charges to the nuclear industry though the Department for Work and Pensions and the Health and Safety Executive, in line with normal arrangements.

Electricity

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change with reference to paragraph 2.4.29, page 54 of Planning our electric future: a White Paper for secure, affordable and low-carbon electricity, what assessment he has made of the options for implementing exemptions to the emissions performance standard for carbon capture and storage demonstration plant.

Charles Hendry: The Government confirmed in the electricity market reform White Paper, published on 12 July 2011, that exemptions to the EPS will apply to plant forming part of the UK Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Demonstration Programme, or befitting from European funding for commercial scale CCS. We have since been working with stakeholders to develop the detail of key aspects of the implementation of the proposed EPS regime, and we are considering the options on how to implement an exemption so that the EPS is set in a way which does not undermine the development of CCS technology.

Electricity

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change with reference to paragraph 2.4.34, page 55 of Planning our electric future: a White Paper for secure, affordable and low-carbon electricity, what progress he has made on structuring the emissions performance standard in a way that does not act as a disincentive to investment in combined heat and power.

Charles Hendry: The Government remain committed to supporting the development of good quality combined heat and power. We are therefore giving careful consideration to the treatment of CHP under the Emissions Performance Standard. Following publication of the electricity market reform White Paper we have been discussing the detailed design of the instrument with stakeholders, and considering the different options, to ensure we avoid structuring the EPS in a way which could act as a disincentive to investment in CHP.

Electricity

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change with reference to paragraph 2.4.36, page 56 of Planning our electric future: a White Paper for secure, affordable and low-carbon electricity, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency on the administration of the emissions performance standard.

Charles Hendry: The electricity market reform White Paper stated the Government's preference for the EPS regime to apply across the UK as far as possible, taking appropriate account of the respective devolution settlements, policy preferences and existing market arrangements across the devolved Administrations, and that the relevant environmental regulators would likely be best placed to administer the mechanism. We are continuing to discuss this with the devolved Administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Electricity

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change with reference to page 30 of Planning our electric future: a White Paper for secure, affordable and low-carbon electricity, what progress he has made towards (a) generating 15 per cent. of the UK's energy consumption from renewable energy sources and (b) 10 per cent. of energy used by transport coming from renewable sources by 2020.

Charles Hendry: In December 2011 we submitted our first progress report to the European Commission, as required under the renewable energy directive. This shows that at the end of 2010 (the latest data available) 3.3% of our energy came from renewable sources, and that we are currently on track to meet our first interim target of 4.04% over 2011-12(1).
	In respect of progress made towards meeting the 10% transport target in the RED, I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to the hon. Member for Garston and Halewood (Maria Eagle) by the Under-Secretary of State for Transport, the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker), on 20 December 2011, Official Report, column 1173W.
	(1) http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/meeting_energy/renewable _ener/renewable_ener.aspx

Energy: Billing

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate his Department has made of the number of households on social and discounted energy tariffs in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11.

Gregory Barker: In the 2008 Budget, the then Chancellor of the Exchequer, the right hon. Member for Edinburgh South West (Mr Darling), announced an increase in suppliers' collective expenditure on their voluntary social programmes.
	Government requested that Ofgem set the parameters for what could be included by suppliers as part of this spend on social initiatives and annually monitor suppliers' progress against the voluntary commitment.
	Ofgem have published the figures in annual reports on suppliers social spend covering the years 2008-11. This includes the numbers of customer accounts on social and discounted tariffs in Great Britain.
	By 31 March 2011, 1,029,332 customer accounts were benefiting from social and discounted tariffs:
	http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Sustainability/SocAction/Suppliers/CSR/Documents1/Suppliers%20Social%20Spend%20report%202010-2011.pdf
	By 31 March 2010, 1,010,382 customer accounts were benefiting from social and discounted tariffs:
	http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Sustainability/SocAction/Suppliers/CSR/Documents1/Monitoring%20Suppliers%20Social%20Spend%202009-10.pdf
	By 31 March 2009, 1,004,470 customer accounts were benefiting from social tariffs:
	http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Sustainability/SocAction/Suppliers/CSR/Documents1/Monitoring_suppliers_social_spend_2008_09_final.pdf

Energy: Private Rented Housing

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent estimate he has made of the proportion of properties in the private rented sector with an energy efficiency rating of (a) A, (b) B, (c) C, (d) D, (e) E, (f) F and (g) G.

Gregory Barker: The most recent data showing private rented sector properties split by energy efficiency rating is contained in the 2009 English Housing Survey, published in 2011. The relevant data are summarised as follows:
	
		
			 Private rented sector 
			  Percentage 
			 A/B 1.2 
			 C 14.7 
			 D 35.0 
			 E 38.6 
			 F 12.6 
			 G 5.8

Green Deal Scheme

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the publication timetable is for the Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation statutory instruments.

Gregory Barker: The Government published draft legislation alongside their consultation on 23 November 2011. It is available here:
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/green_deal/green deal.aspx
	Subject to Parliament, we expect to have the final legislation on the statute book by the summer recess.

Members: Correspondence

Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when he plans to respond to the letters of 22 November 2011 and 20 January 2012 from the hon. Member for Weaver Vale concerning Mr Ronald Cox.

Gregory Barker: I have now replied to my hon. Friend and apologised for the delay in doing so. This was due to an administrative error.

Meters

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many secondees from each energy supplier his Department has employed to work on the smart meter programme.

Charles Hendry: None.

Meters

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many smart meters he expects to have been installed by the end of 2019.

Charles Hendry: The Government estimate that around 30 million smart electricity meters and 23 million smart gas meters will be installed within this period.

Renewable Energy: Feed-in Tariffs

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether his Department has made an assessment of the Government's liability for loss of income following the Court of Appeal ruling on its consultation on the feed-in tariff for solar PV.

Gregory Barker: The Government do not accept that they have any such liability and have therefore not made such an assessment.

Solar Power

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent estimate his Department has made of the number of (a) jobs in the solar industry and (b) domestic installations undertaken if an Option A 13.6p tariff is adopted in (i) 2012-13, (ii) 2013-14 and (iii) 2014-15.

Gregory Barker: The projected number of solar photovoltaic (PV) installations under the different proposed tariff options are set out in Tables 15 and 18a of the draft impact assessment published alongside phase 2A of the consultation on feed-in tariffs. The impact assessment does not separate out the number of domestic and non-domestic installations.
	Annex B to the impact assessment sets out the methodology for estimating job numbers associated with solar PV installations, and the estimated number of jobs under proposed Option B tariffs. As it explains, the estimates are calculated as the number of full-time equivalent jobs per installation, so can be applied to the number of installations projected under the other tariff options as well.
	The draft impact assessment is available at:
	www.decc.gov.uk/media/viewfile.ashx?filetype=4&filepath =Consultations/fits-review/4320-feedin-tariffs-review-phase-2a-draft-impact-asses.pdf

Third Sector

Chris White: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps his Department has taken to implement the principles of the Best Value Statutory Guidance in respect of (a) giving at least three months' notice to voluntary and community organisations and their service users when reducing or ending funding, (b) engaging with voluntary and community organisations and service users as early as possible before making a decision on the future of the service, any knock-on effects on assets used to provide this service and the wider impact on the local community and (c) making provision for voluntary and community organisations and service users to put forward options on how to reshape the service or project.

Gregory Barker: DECC does not have specific processes in place which implement the principles of the Best Value Statutory Guidance. The obligations in relation to the Best Value Statutory Guidance published by the Department for Communities and Local Government in September 2011, do not apply to central Government Departments or their Executive agencies, as this guidance was designed specifically for local authorities. DECC however, in common with other central Government Departments, has signed up to the same fair standards set out in the guidance, through re-affirmed commitment to the national Compact, which was renewed in December 2010.

Warm Front Scheme

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions he has had with Carillon on job losses in Hull resulting from the reduction (a) in funding to the Warm Front scheme and (b) in the feed-in tariff for solar PV.

Gregory Barker: I have had recent discussions with Carillion plc on a number of aspects of the Department's energy efficiency and fuel poverty policies.

Warm Front Scheme

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the likely number of jobs which will be lost (a) in the Hull region and (b) nationally as a result of the reduction in funding for the Warm Front scheme.

Gregory Barker: I am aware of reports that Carillion Energy Services are restructuring Warm Front operations which may have a particular impact on the Hull region. Any such restructuring is a commercial decision for Carillion Energy Services, the Warm Front scheme manager.
	The Warm Front budget for its final year, 2012-13, is £100 million. From the end of 2012 the installation of energy efficiency measures will be provided through the Green Deal and new Energy Company Obligation (ECO). Part of the Energy Company Obligation will specifically be designed to provide “Affordable Warmth” to low income vulnerable households, through heating and insulation measures. The impact assessment published alongside the Green Deal and ECO consultation document proposed a central estimate for the cost of ECO at £1.3 billion per year. The consultation document explained that we expect around 25% if this cost to be directed towards meeting the Affordable Warmth target. The Green Deal programme has significant potential to create new jobs across the country, including the potential to double the number of jobs in the insulation industry alone, supporting at least 65,000 jobs by 2015.

Warm Home Discount Scheme

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many people in (a) the UK, (b) each local authority and (c) each parliamentary constituency received assistance under the Warm Homes discount scheme in 2011-12.

Gregory Barker: We estimate that around 2 million low income and vulnerable households will receive support under the Warm Home discount scheme in year one of the scheme (2011-12). The scheme applies in Great Britain. This will include around 660,000 of the poorest pensioners who will be assisted through the Core Group. The scheme represents an increase in supplier spending this year of over 40% compared to final year of the voluntary agreement.
	Further information on the number of households assisted in GB will not be known until Ofgem have conducted a review of suppliers' spending after the end of year one of the scheme.

Wind Power

Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what mechanism his Department has put in place to measure the average levels of wind in the counties of England; and what information his Department holds on the levels of wind in Northamptonshire.

Charles Hendry: holding answer 22 February 2012
	The Department has no mechanism to monitor the average levels of wind in the counties of England, and does not monitor wind speeds in Northamptonshire. However, DECC does produce average wind speed figures for the UK as a whole, which is based on data from 12 weather stations provided by the Met Office. This is used to help provide context to DECC's wind generation figures for the UK as a whole, rather than for use in monitoring regional wind speeds. This table can be found at:
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/energy_stats/source/temperatures/temperatures.aspx
	DECC has funded a number of regional renewable and low carbon capacity assessments, including covering Northamptonshire, which will help local authorities and developers to identify areas where renewable energy development could be accommodated.
	As the renewables obligation incentivises developers for actual electricity generation, it is in their best interest to bring forward projects in windiest and least constrained sites.

TRANSPORT

Sustainable Transport

Duncan Hames: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much of the Local Sustainable Transport Fund will be spent on integrating rail services with other modes of sustainable transport.

Norman Baker: 19 of the 39 projects so far funded through the Local Sustainable Transport Fund include measures which will help integrate rail services with sustainable transport. I will announce further successful projects in the summer. In addition, on 7 February I announced that the Cycle Rail Working Group will receive £7 million growth funding to introduce cycle-rail integration measures.

Piracy

Caroline Dinenage: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions she has had with ministerial colleagues on measures to safeguard UK shipping against piracy.

Michael Penning: I sit on the ministerial working group which leads the Government's counter-piracy work and considers measures to safeguard British shipping from acts of piracy. This includes military operations, prosecution of pirates in neighbouring states, and the Government's policy on the use of private armed guards, on which my Department has led.

Rail Schemes: Inward Investment

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment she has made of the likely effect on the planning of future rail schemes of inward investment in a given location.

Theresa Villiers: All rail investment is subject to the development of a business case which includes consideration of the wider economic benefits which the scheme in question would bring.

A49: Shropshire

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will ensure road safety measures to protect pedestrians crossing the road are put in place on the A49 in the village of Dorrington.

Michael Penning: As part of a national target to reduce injury collisions, the Highways Agency operates a value management process to target available resources to areas of greatest need.
	Safety measures had previously been considered for the A49 at Dorrington but, when compared against other priority areas, the agency was unable to justify a scheme at this location.
	However, following recent changes to the value management process, the agency is reassessing options for the A49, including the provision of a pedestrian crossing at Dorrington. Until the process is complete, the agency cannot guarantee the proposal will be prioritised for funding.

Cycling: Safety

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions she has had with the Driving Standards Agency on the Pass Plus Programme in respect of the safety of cyclists; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Penning: Pass Plus is a non-statutory, voluntary, training scheme for newly qualified drivers that aims to improve their skills and experience. It prepares them for driving on different types of road (eg motorways which learners cannot use) and provide them with experience of a number of different types of driving conditions.
	The Secretary of State for Transport has had no specific discussions with the Driving Standards Agency on the Pass Plus Programme in respect of the safety of cyclists.

Cycling: Safety

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions she has with the Driving Standards Agency on (a) theory and (b) practical driving tests in respect of the safety of cyclists.

Michael Penning: We continue to consider how to improve driver training to ensure that learner drivers have the knowledge, skills and attitudes to be safe and responsible on our roads. The Secretary of State for Transport has, however, had no specific discussions with the Driving Standards Agency on (a) theory and (b) practical driving tests in respect of the safety of cyclists. Every driving theory test includes six questions relating to vulnerable road users, including cyclists, and the Highway Code includes strong advice to drivers on the need to give cyclists enough space. We have made the practical driving test more realistic with candidates now needing to show that they can interact safely with others on the road without detailed instruction from the examiner.

Departmental Data Protection

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many cases of (a) data loss and (b) breaches of confidentiality occurred in her Department in 2011.

Norman Baker: Central records show that during 2011 there were nine security incidents reported that involved data loss.
	The Department central record does not contain a category titled “breach of confidentiality”.
	Information on personal data security breaches (which in some cases may give rise to a breach in confidentiality) is published on an annual basis in the Department's annual resource accounts. The Department's 2011-12 accounts are expected to be published in the summer. Less serious incidents are managed locally and a central record is not held. To collate information on such incidents from across the Department and its agencies would incur disproportionate cost.
	Additionally, all significant control weaknesses are included in the Statement of Internal Control which is published within the annual resource accounts.

Departmental Pay

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was paid to officials in her Department and its non-departmental public bodies in (a) bonuses, (b) allowances and (c) other payments additional to basic salary in each of the last two years for which figures are available; what categories of payment may be made to officials in addition to basic salary; what the monetary value is of each category of payment; and what the monetary value was of the 20 largest such payments made in each of the last two years.

Norman Baker: The amount paid to officials in the Department for Transport, its seven executive agencies and its non-departmental public bodies in non-consolidated performance related payments, allowances and other payments additional to basic salary in the last two financial years is shown in the following table. The percentage of the overall Departmental pay bill these figures represent are shown in brackets.
	
		
			 £/(%) 
			 Financial year Non-consolidated performance payments Allowances Other payments 
			 2009-10 10,659,687(1.6) 20,918,035 (3.2) 16,182,358 (2.4) 
			 2010-11 10,403,415 (1.6) 19,633,125 (3.0) 15,137,138 (2.3) 
		
	
	Non-consolidated performance payments are made to employees for two reasons: in year payments to reward outstanding contributions in particularly demanding tasks or situations with small one-off payments, and performance related payments to reward highly successful performance over a whole appraisal year. These awards help drive high performance in the organisation, have to be re-earned each year and do not add to future pay bill costs.
	Allowances are paid to assist in the recruitment and retention of employees in certain specialist posts. Allowances are also payable to employees who work shifts and some employees receive allowances instead of overtime payments such as private office employees.
	Overtime payments are primarily made to our front line employees including those who deliver a service to the public, such as driving examiners, and those in operational roles such transport security employees and accident investigators.
	Over 60% of employees in the Department for Transport are either operational employees providing a front line service to the public or specialist employees.
	Information on categories of payment and the monetary values of each category can be provided only at disproportionate cost. The 20 largest such payments made in the last two financial years are shown in the following table. These payments represent either non-consolidated performance related payments, annual allowances or the annual value of overtime payments.
	
		
			 £ 
			 Rank Largest payments 2009-10 Largest payments 2010-11 
			 1 65,450 53,768 
			 2 40,213 40,213 
			 3 30,203 35,700 
			 4 28,801 25,000 
			 5 23,964 24,962 
			 6 23,555 23,740 
			 7 22,483 23,242 
			 8 21,624 22,890 
			 9 21,529 22,886 
			 10 21,517 21,219 
			 11 21,305 21,179 
			 12 20,678 17,261 
			 13 20,441 16,381 
			 14 19,208 15,521 
			 15 18,794 15,000 
			 16 18,612 14,810 
			 17 17,833 14,408 
			 18 16,407 13,966 
			 19 16,400 13,663 
			 20 16,088 13,129

Driving Tests

Mark Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress she has made on the provision of alternative driving test venues in areas that do not have a conventional test centre.

Michael Penning: Since May 2011, the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has been conducting a pilot to introduce outreach driver testing services to areas where there is significant demand but no existing test centre. The pilot is operational in eight locations with an additional location due in early March.
	The agency is now considering how to extend the concept more widely.

East Anglia Railway Line

Daniel Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions she has had with Network Rail on the Norwich to London rail route.

Norman Baker: Ministers in the Department hold regular meetings with train operating companies and Network Rail to discuss operational performance. I have recently met with operators and Network Rail to discuss infrastructure preparations on the south section of the Great Eastern Mainline in preparation for the Olympic Games, and in particular the need for more resilience from the overhead lines.

M54: Snow and Ice

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps she is taking to ensure the appropriate amount of grit is spread on the M54 from Wolverhampton to Shrewsbury in preparation for periods of cold weather.

Michael Penning: Winter treatment of the motorway and trunk road network, including the M54, is determined by a framework of appropriate responses developed by the Highways Agency, from well-established research and guidance into severe weather conditions.
	Regional severe weather plans are designed to manage the Highways Agency's network during expected periods of severe weather, and actions are informed by specialist road-based weather forecasts. Applications of rock salt or other treatments are applied according to both expected and prevailing conditions.
	Each plan is reviewed annually, following liaison with other agencies such as the emergency services, to ensure it takes into account any lessons learnt during the previous winter season.

Metals: Theft

Richard Graham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions officials in her Department have had with (a) Network Rail and (b) British Transport police on cable and metal theft; and if she will make a statement.

Norman Baker: Both ministers and officials regularly discuss with both Network Rail and British Transport police issues connected with the impact of metal theft and the measures to tackle it.

Network Rail: Compensation

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much compensation was paid (a) to each train operator by Network Rail and (b) by each train operator to passengers as a result of delays and cancellations directly attributable to cable theft in the latest period for which figures are available.

Norman Baker: The information requested is not held by the Department. It is held by Network Rail.
	The compensation regime is a contractual element within the Track Access Agreement between Network Rail and each operator, and is overseen by the Office for Rail Regulation. Network Rail has provided the following information on the compensation paid to train operators in 2010-11, broken down by Network Rail route:
	
		
			 Network Rail breakdown by route 2010-11 
			 Route Compensation cost (1)  (£) 
			 Anglia 1,089,809 
			 CTRL 7,251 
			 East Midlands 282,473 
			 Kent 417,950 
			 LNE (London North Eastern) 3,531,416 
			 LNW (London North Western) 2,795,811 
			 Scotland 254,825 
			 Sussex 30,081 
			 Wessex 140,423 
			 Western 3,587,181 
			 (1) Compensation costs (known as schedule 8 costs) are paid to train and freight operators for the disruption caused by the delay. This is a substantial part of the cost to the industry of cable theft but does not include the cost of staff time to repair and replace the cable, replacement cable itself and the cost of mitigation measures such as security patrols and investment in new technology. Note: The amount of compensation paid depends on the type of services delayed. 
		
	
	The Department only holds information on compensation payments to passengers for those train operating companies which operate the delay/repay compensation system. Such compensation payments are made regardless of whether the delay was attributed to Network Rail or a train operator, so it is not possible to identify how much compensation is attributable to each. Compensation paid covers all categories of delay—it is not possible to identify how much is attributable to cable theft.

Rescue Services

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what principal types of available search and rescue units are required to be designated under section 2.1.11.4 of the international convention on maritime search and rescue.

Michael Penning: The following principal types were required to be designated: Boats, Aircraft, Ground Units and Supplementary Units.
	The following search and rescue units are designated as being available:
	Boats/Vessels—short range coastal, long range sea going.
	Aircraft—Cessna 404 and 406, Sea King, AW139 and S92 helicopters.
	Ground Units—Coastguard shore search teams controlled by maritime rescue co-ordination centres.
	Supplementary Units—Offshore fire-fighting teams. Medical teams may be available.

Roads

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment she has made of the effects on safety of using non-kitemarked plastic drainage kerbs on motorways and highways; and whether she considers the CE designation a sufficient guarantee of safety in conformity with the Construction Products Directive.

Michael Penning: British Standard BS EN 1433: 'Drainage channels for vehicular and pedestrian areas' is a harmonised European Standard. This was prepared by a technical committee drawn from member states of the European Union, and with industry representation. The standard was accepted for use across Europe.
	The standard sets appropriate characteristics and performance requirements for combined drainage kerb products. These requirements must be satisfied to ensure that a product is compliant, and to allow a CE mark to be used.
	There is no evidence to suggest that products correctly certified in accordance with the standard are not appropriate for use or are unsafe.

Roads

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment she has made of the durability and flammability of plastic drainage kerbs without kitemarks when used on running lanes of motorways and highways.

Michael Penning: British Standard BS EN 1433: 'Drainage channels for vehicular and pedestrian areas' is the relevant standard against which to assess the performance of combined drainage kerb units. This standard was prepared and agreed by a European standards committee with industry representation. It sets consistent technical requirements across the European Union.
	Durability is classed as an essential requirement within the standard for combined drainage kerb units. However, fire resistance or flammability is not listed as an essential requirement in BS EN 1433 and therefore products do not have to be assessed for this aspect, irrespective of the material used. Public Procurers may not impose additional performance or test requirements for a particular product material.
	Products which are certified as compliant with BS EN 1433 have been assessed as appropriate for use on highway schemes.

Roads

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what tests have been carried out on the safety and durability of plastic drainage kerbs on running lanes on highways and motorways; whether the results of these tests are published; and if not, if she will make them publicly available.

Michael Penning: British Standard BS EN 1433: 'Drainage channels for vehicular and pedestrian areas' is the relevant standard against which to assess the performance of combined drainage kerb units. The conformity of a product against this standard is assessed by an accredited Notified Body. This is an independent organisation identified as appropriately qualified to assess performance judged against the particular standard. Where a product is made of a material such as plastic which is not explicitly covered by the standard then the Notified Body will decide if the standard can still be applied and if any additional testing is required. Appropriate tests are then carried out by the Notified Body and if successful the manufacturer may apply a CE mark to their product. There is no requirement for a manufacturer to publish the results of these tests.
	Public Procurers such as the Highways Agency may also undertake testing to check conformity with the standard. Some testing has been undertaken by the Agency on plastic combined drainage kerbs. Subsequently requests for this testing information were received from other manufacturers under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. This was subjected to a Public Interest Test and considered under an exemption in Section 43 (2) of the Act. The testing information was not released, as it was assessed as prejudicial to commercial interests.

Roads

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will raise the attestation level of all kerb drainage products on motorways to a level requiring kitemarking.

Michael Penning: The level of attestation related to a particular product standard is part of the mandate drawn up by CEN, the European Committee for Standardisation. An individual European member state cannot unilaterally raise or change the set level of attestation.

Roads

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment is made of the durability and flammability of drainage kerbing where it is exposed to increased damage and risk when used in managed motorway schemes allowing motorway running on hard shoulders.

Michael Penning: British Standard BS EN 1433: ‘Drainage channels for vehicular and pedestrian areas’ is the relevant standard against which to assess the performance of combined drainage kerb units. This standard was prepared and agreed by a European standards committee with industry representation. It sets consistent technical requirements across the European Union.
	Durability is classed as an essential requirement within the standard for combined drainage kerb units. However fire resistance or flammability is not listed as an essential requirement in BS EN 1433 and therefore products do not have to be assessed for this aspect, irrespective of the material used. Public procurers may not impose additional performance or test requirements for a particular product material.
	Products which are certified as compliant with BS EN 1433 have been assessed as appropriate for use on highway projects, including those used on ‘all lane running’ managed motorway schemes on the strategic road network.

Roads: Accidents

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate she has made of the number of accidents in (a) England, (b) the North West, (c) Cumbria and (d) Westmorland and Londsdale constituency caused by ice and snow in each of the last five years.

Michael Penning: The number of reported personal injury road accidents where the road surface condition was recorded as snow, ice or frost and where "slippery road (due to weather)" was recorded as a contributory factor is given in the following table:
	
		
			 Number of accidents 
			  England North West 
			 2006 1,129 193 
			 2007 1,461 193 
			 2008 2,37.0 333 
			 2009 3,827 413 
			 2010 5,562 731 
			 Note: Based on 2010 parliamentary boundaries. 
		
	
	Information relating to contributory factors are not available below regional level.
	The contributory factors reflect the reporting officer's opinion at the time of reporting and are not necessarily the result of extensive investigation. Moreover it is recognised that subsequent inquires could lead to the reporting officer changing his opinion. It is important to note where some factors may have contributed to a cause of an accident it may be difficult for a police officer attending the scene after the accident has occurred to identify these factors.

Roads: Accidents

Jonathan Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps she is taking to reduce road casualties among people aged between 17 and 24 years; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Penning: We recognise the higher risks posed by younger and less experienced drivers and are taking steps to reduce these risks. However, I would also note the improvements that have been made between 2007-10 with a 25% fall in all car driver ages killed and seriously injured (KSIs) and a 35% reduction for 17 to 24-year-old car drivers killed and seriously injured.
	I have had a number of meetings with the driver training and insurance industries to explore how we can encourage and properly train people to become lifelong, safe and responsible drivers. We will examine a range of proposals for consideration prior to formal consultation later in 2012.
	We have already made improvements to the driving test to help reduce casualties in this age group such as not publishing test routes or answers to theory test questions and reducing the number of manoeuvres in the practical test, so test routes can be opened out and be more representative of real driving.

Roads: Accidents

Jonathan Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate she has made of the proportion of road accidents caused by drivers between 17 and 24 years of age; what comparative assessment she has made of these figures and the proportion of driving licence holders accounted for by that age group; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Penning: Information that explicitly identifies the cause of accidents is not held by the Department. However information on factors which, in the opinion of the reporting police officer at the time of attendance, may have contributed to the accident is held by the Department and are available from the following address:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/statistics/releases/road-accidents-and-safety-annual-report-2010
	The following table shows the number of reported personal injury road accidents involving a motor vehicle driver, by driver age band, and the estimated rate of involvement, for drivers within these age bands in Great Britain for 2010.
	
		
			  Driver age (years) 
			  17-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70 + 
			 Reported road accidents involving a motor vehicle driver, in 2010 42,792 25,373 23,787 23,304 43,994 29,049 16,038 10,683 
			 Estimated number of motor vehicle drivers involved in a reported road accidents per 100,000 driving licence holders, in 2010 969 792 770 674 616 492 319 266 
			 Proportion of individuals with a full or provisional driving licence, accounted for by age group (percentage) 12 9 9 10 21 17 14 10

Transport: Finance

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which transport capital projects announced in the Autumn Statement require funding beyond the current Spending Review period.

Norman Baker: The following schemes announced in the Autumn Statement on 29 November 2011, Official Report, columns 799-810, require some funding beyond 2014-15:
	A14 Kettering Bypass widening junctions 7-9;
	A45/46 Tollbar End improvement scheme;
	A453 widening between Nottingham, the M1 and East Midlands airport;
	M6 Managed Motorway junctions 10a-3;
	M3 Managed Motorway junctions 2-4a;
	M1/M6 intersection improvements;
	New link road from M56 at Manchester airport to A6 south of Stockport;
	South Bristol Link Phases 1 and 2;
	Lincoln Eastern Bypass;
	Kingkerswell Bypass;
	Hucknall town centre improvement scheme;
	Evesham bridge maintenance;
	Crewe Green Link Southern Section;
	BRT Ashton Vale to Temple Meads (Bristol);
	A45 Westbound Bridge (Solihull).
	Two Managed Motorway schemes (M25 junctions 23 to 27 and M1 junctions 39 to 42) were accelerated to be brought forward for construction up to a year earlier than previously planned, so reducing the funding required beyond this spending review period.
	In addition, the following rail schemes were announced as additions to the Regulatory Asset Base and will continue to be dealt with according to the Office of Rail Regulation's regulatory regime:
	Electrification of the Transpennine Express;
	East-West Rail Project;
	Fund to reduce disruption on rail network;
	Railway improvements (winter resilience fund, bridge renewals and Access for All).

Transport: Health Services

Steven Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations she has received on the effect of greater centralisation of health services on transport links and the need to improve those links.

Norman Baker: The Department for Transport has received no representations on the effect of greater centralisation of health services on transport links. However, we continue to promote the importance of accessibility planning in any decision making and encourage all public bodies to consider the carbon implications of their activities insofar as they relate to transport.

SCOTLAND

Human Trafficking

Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to ensure that the recommendations of the Equality and Human Rights Commission's Inquiry into Human Trafficking in Scotland are fully considered by both the UK and Scottish governments.

David Mundell: The Government are considering the findings of the Equality and Human Rights Commission's Inquiry into Human Trafficking in Scotland, in line with the ongoing implementation of the Human Trafficking Strategy we launched in July 2011.

River Forth: Bridges

Frank Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Scottish government on spending on the Forth Replacement Crossing and its potential effect on the steel industry in the UK.

David Mundell: As detailed in my earlier response to the hon. Member on 20 February 2012, Official Report, column 459W, the Government recognise the contributions that the Scottish steel industry makes to the UK and Scottish economy. As part of the Scotland Bill package, the Government brought forward pre-payments, a form of 'cash advance' to 2011 to allow work on the Forth Replacement Crossing to begin. We have regular discussions with Scottish Ministers on these issues and other matters of importance to the Scottish economy. The procurement process in relation to work on the crossing is a devolved matter within the remit of the Scottish Government, Transport Scotland and their private sector contractors.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Hotels

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the names are of the hotels used by his Department to provide accommodation for staff based abroad when visiting the UK.

Alan Duncan: All travel arrangements including accommodation for the Department for International Development (DFID) staff are booked through the central Government travel provider HRG (Hogg Robinson Group).
	The contract with HRG is based upon attaining the "best fare of the day" and this includes hotels. Under this agreement HRG will offer the hotels which are best value for money at the time of booking including making full use of government negotiated rates under the Government Hotel Programme (GHP). DFID does not therefore maintain a list of hotels for use but will use those which offer best value for money at the time of booking.

Third Sector

Chris White: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department has taken to implement the principles of the Best Value Statutory Guidance in respect of (a) giving at least three months' notice to voluntary and community organisations and their service users when reducing or ending funding, (b) engaging with voluntary and community organisations and service users as early as possible before making a decision on the future of the service, any knock-on effects on assets used to provide this service and the wider impact on the local community and (c) making provision for voluntary and community organisations and service users to put forward options on how to reshape the service or project.

Alan Duncan: The Department for International Development (DFID) makes provision within its grant agreements for a three month notice period, in writing, for any modification or termination of a grant. If the developmental impact of a programme is assessed to be significantly impaired DFID seeks to consult with organisations at the earliest opportunity to identify courses of actions to resolve and remedy the situation. Should termination be assessed as the best value option, any remaining funds, other than those irrevocably committed or agreed between DFID and the organisation to be retained to finalise activities, will be returned to DFID and used for alternative development purposes.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Antisocial Behaviour

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which police forces are involved in testing the community trigger.

James Brokenshire: We are working with a number of leading community safety partnerships on plans for testing the community trigger. We will announce details of the pilots shortly.

Domestic Violence: Young People

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what perpetrator-focused programmes her Department provides to help prevent domestic violence; and whether any of these programmes are directed at teenagers.

Crispin Blunt: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Justice.
	The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) has developed and delivers a range of offending behaviour programmes, designed to address a diverse range of offending related needs. There are currently two community based accredited domestic violence programmes in use in England and Wales: the Community Domestic Violence Programme (CDVP) and the Integrated Domestic Abuse Programme (IDAP). Both programmes are targeted at male offenders who are assessed as being of medium to high risk of causing harm and have been fully implemented in all 35 Probation trusts since 2006.
	The Healthy Relationships Programme (HRP) in use in prisons is currently available in 12 prison sites. There are two versions of HRP—the moderate intensity programme for men assessed as having a moderate risk/moderate need profile and the high intensity programme designed for high risk/high need offenders.
	All of the programmes are targeted at men aged 18 and over.

Major Projects Leadership Academy

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many civil servants in her Department will be attending the Major Projects Leadership Academy; and what their roles are.

Damian Green: Two civil servants for the Home Office will be attending the first cohort of the Major Projects Leadership Academy. They are both Senior Responsible Officers (SROs) for Home Office projects which fall within the Government Major Projects Portfolio.

Major Projects Leadership Academy

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which of her Department's projects have been chosen to participate in the Major Projects Leadership Academy.

Damian Green: Selection for inclusion in the Major Projects Leadership Academy was primarily based upon the individual civil servant and their potential to deliver current and future projects and programmes to a world-class standard, rather than the project they were responsible for. All potential candidates were drawn from the cadre of expertise leading the Government Major Projects Portfolio in the Department. Final nominations were received from Permanent Secretaries. The two Home Office civil servants chosen are Senior Responsible Officers (SRO) for the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme, and the Communications Capabilities Development Programme.

Marriage of Convenience

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many UK Border Agency staff are working with the Church of England on the Sham Marriage Task Force.

Damian Green: The UK Border Agency established Local Immigration Teams (LITs) to work with local partners, including the police, community leaders, local authorities and other agencies in the enforcement of our immigration laws. LITs work closely with the Church of England to provide advice and support and to investigate and disrupt suspected sham marriages.
	The work of each LIT reflects the needs of the individual communities that they serve and will vary depending on the location and facilities available. There are currently 48 LITs across the UK. A breakdown of the number of staff working with the Church of England on tackling sham marriage abuse changes in each LIT according to circumstances.

Metals: Theft

David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she expects to bring forward proposals in respect of the House's motion of 7 February 2012 on metal theft.

James Brokenshire: The Home Office notes the Motion that was passed on 7 February. We are introducing a coherent package of measures to tackle the growing problem of metal theft. We are boosting enforcement through a £5 million national metal theft taskforce, and the Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), announced legislative measures to the House on 26 January that will significantly raise the penalties for rogue dealers and prohibit cash payments for scrap metal. We are considering options for further legislative measures.

Metals: Theft

Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Government's proposed amendment to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill to prohibit cash payments to purchase scrap metal and increase the fines for offences under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964 will affect the sale of precious metals.

James Brokenshire: The Government's proposed amendment to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill will cover all metals that are processed by 'scrap metal dealers' as defined by the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964, which may include some precious metals.

Metals: Theft

Richard Graham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many instances of metal theft from public property occurred in (a) Gloucestershire, (b) South West England and (c) England in each of the last five years.

James Brokenshire: The information requested is not available from the police recorded crime statistics held by the Home Office.

Oil: Theft

David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information her Department holds on the incidence of theft of oil in (a) 2009, (b) 2010 and (c) 2011.

James Brokenshire: The information requested is not available at this level of detail from the Home Office recorded crime statistics.

Oil: Theft

David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to reduce the level of theft of oil from domestic and business properties; and if she will make a statement.

James Brokenshire: Local crime is a matter for individual chief constables, and the introduction of Police and Crime Commissioners in November will ensure that police forces are responding to the priorities of local citizens and businesses. More widely, the Home Office is committed to working with retailers to reduce crimes against business. We launched the Business Self Assessment Tool last year, which provides guidance to businesses to make them more resilient and reduce their vulnerability to criminals.

Tourism

Jonathan Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to facilitate tourism to the UK from (a) China, (b) India, (c) Brazil, (d) Russia and (e) other developing countries; and if she will make a statement.

Damian Green: The UK Border Agency has introduced a number of measures to assist visit visa applicants. These include the publication of guidance leaflets in Chinese, Hindi and Russian, as well as Arabic, Thai and Turkish.
	There is a fast track service available at all Visa Application Centres in Brazil (although Brazilian nationals do not require visas to visit the UK), India and Russia. The UK Border Agency is working to roll out the fast track service.
	The UK is promoted as a tourist destination by HM Government.

Visits Abroad: Public Expenditure

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many overseas visits the UK Border Agency has conducted in the last 12 months; and what the total cost to the public purse was of such visits.

Damian Green: This information is not held centrally and could be collated only at disproportionate cost.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Mobile Phones: Telecommunications

Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what his policy is on the European Commission's proposal for regulation of charges for data roaming on public mobile communications networks in Europe.

Edward Vaizey: The Department wants to see the third roaming regulation successfully concluded in time for implementation from 1 June this year. We want to see price caps at values that will continue to reduce roaming costs for consumers but at the same time provide sufficient incentive for new players to enter the market, therefore providing a sustainable competitive market place for the future.

Radio

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of compensating companies whose equipment is rendered obsolete following the relocation of users of radio channel 69;
	(2)  what instructions he has issued to ensure adequate compensation is paid to companies whose equipment will be rendered obsolete by the relocation of users of radio channel 69;
	(3)  what assessment he has made of the criteria for allowing compensation claims by companies whose equipment is rendered obsolete by the relocation of users of radio channel 69;
	(4)  what assessment he has made of the effect of the relocation of users of the channel 69 radio frequency on businesses which hire microphone equipment;
	(5)  what arrangements he has made to compensate businesses which hire microphone equipment which will be rendered obsolete by the relocation of users of radio channel 69.

Edward Vaizey: Ofcom, the independent regulator, is responsible for clearing the 800 MHz band for release to the market to allow new services such as 4G mobile. This includes compensating licensed users of channel 69, who had a legitimate expectation to be able to use that channel until 2018. A scheme was designed which required users to surrender equipment in return for compensation calculated according to the age and lifespan of the equipment surrendered. Ofcom consulted on the channel 69 funding scheme, including eligibility criteria and levels of funding, in August 2009.
	The contribution to the cost of replacing equipment is based on the estimated cost to users having to invest in new equipment before the end of 2012. This works out as roughly 55% of the cost of replacing the equipment with an equivalent model. If users choose to modify rather than replace their equipment, the cost of the modification will be paid—up to the amount that would have been paid as a contribution towards the replacement.
	The eligibility criteria and levels of funding were agreed with Government. Her Majesty's Treasury approved the overall budget of £45 million and provided the compensation funds which Ofcom is administering under the scheme. Ofcom has to date disbursed a total of £27 million under this scheme.
	The funding scheme is now closed to new applicants. The scheme was open to licensed users and claimants who could demonstrate that their business was strictly limited to hiring out but not installing or operating the equipment on behalf of their customers (activities which would have required a wireless telegraphy licence). Hiring companies which did not have a licence and could not demonstrate that they hired equipment only did not meet the eligibility criteria and were not entitled to funding.

WOMEN AND EQUALITIES

Public Lavatories

Glyn Davies: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what steps she is taking to ensure adequate provision of toilet facilities for women where public lavatories are provided.

Lynne Featherstone: This is not a matter for central Government. However, local authorities which are planning to provide public lavatories should, under the Equality Act 2010, have due regard to meeting the needs of different relevant groups—in this case women, men, and disabled or elderly people.

Sports Charter

Iain Stewart: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what progress she has made on the implementation of the sports charter.

Lynne Featherstone: Since its launch last March, the charter on tackling homophobia and transphobia in sport has received over 3,000 signatories, including from over 30 different sporting bodies.
	Signing the charter is the first step, and I am pleased to say that the Football Association, one of the founding signatories of the charter have made their next step. Earlier this week I attended the launch of their new action plan to promote LGB&T at Wembley stadium. This was discussed at Number 10 yesterday.

Unemployment

Adrian Bailey: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what steps she is taking to tackle women's unemployment.

Lynne Featherstone: The Government are supporting women to move into employment, including self-employment, through the Work programme and our business mentoring scheme.
	We are also improving careers advice and training, and encouraging more women to enter into apprenticeships.
	In addition, the action we are taking to increase flexibility in the workplace and support with child care costs will help open up opportunities for women.

International Women’s Day

Lorraine Fullbrook: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what steps she is taking to support international women's day.

Lynne Featherstone: It is important that the UK marks International Women's Day on 8 March and celebrates the contribution that women make.
	Next week, I will be attending the UN Commission on the Status of Women summit in New York to discuss ways the global community can advance women's equality.
	I will also participate in other events to mark the day and I know that many of my colleagues in other Departments will do the same.

Departmental Data Protection

David Davis: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities how many cases of (a) data loss and (b) breaches of confidentiality occurred in the Government Equalities Office in 2011.

Lynne Featherstone: Since 1 April 2011, the Government Equalities Office (GEO) has been part of the Home Office. Figures on reported data losses and confidentiality breaches for the Home Office covering the period 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012 are due to be published in Q2 2012.
	Between January and March 2011, the GEO was a separate Government Department. During this period it was not the subject of any data losses or confidentiality breaches.

TREASURY

Animation and Research: Meetings

Mark Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what meetings (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department have had with representatives of the animation industry in the last 12 months.

Chloe Smith: Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery.
	The Treasury publishes a list of ministerial meetings with external organisations, available at:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/minister_hospitality.htm

Bank Levy

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the likely shortfall in receipts from the Bank Levy in 2011 and future years as part of his decision to increase the levy from 1 January 2012.

Mark Hoban: I refer the hon. Member to the Bank Levy Tax Impact and Information Note (TIIN) published by HM Revenue and Customs alongside the Chancellor's autumn statement, available at:
	www.hmrc.gov.uk/tiin/tiin637.pdf

Civil Servants: Pay

Nick Brown: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what his estimate is of the loss to the Exchequer through the use of tax avoidance devices, including personal service companies, by senior civil servants in the latest period for which figures are available;
	(2)  what the salary range is of civil servants using tax avoidance devices, including personal service companies;
	(3)  what his estimate is of the loss to the Exchequer through the use of tax avoidance devices, including personal service companies, by the Chief Executive of the Student Loans Company; and what his calculation is of the balance of advantage from the arrangement.

Danny Alexander: The Government are committed to tackling all forms of tax avoidance and do not believe that tax avoidance is appropriate in the public sector.
	I have announced a review of public sector appointments to examine the extent to which use is made of arrangements whereby the tax position of appointees can be perceived to be minimised, including where they are paid through a personal service company, and to make appropriate recommendations.
	Once this review is complete, the Government will be able to make a better estimate of the scale of these arrangements. However, given taxpayer confidentiality, it will not be possible to estimate the Exchequer impact.

Commission on Devolution in Wales

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he plans to submit evidence to the Commission on Devolution in Wales relating to (a) Part 1 of the Commission's terms of reference and (b) any other matters.

Danny Alexander: The Government do not intend to submit evidence to the Commission's review of Devolution in Wales. We have provided the Commission with technical information and will continue to do so.
	The Secretary of State for Wales, the right hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs Gillan), and I recently wrote to the Commission on this issue. This letter can be found on the Commission's website:
	http://commissionondevolutioninwales.independent.gov.uk/files/2012/02/HMGovernment-English.pdf

Departmental Work Experience

Philip Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what work experience or traineeship schemes his Department offers to minority groups.

Chloe Smith: HM Treasury participates in the Civil Service Whitehall Internship Scheme. This scheme is coordinated across Whitehall by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and offers internships and work experience to minority groups.
	All opportunities on the Civil Service Whitehall Internship Scheme have an open and transparent application process.

Employment

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of jobs which will be created by each of the supply-side measures contained in The Plan for Growth in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14 and (d) 2014-15.

Chloe Smith: The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) is responsible for producing independent economic and fiscal forecasts.
	The OBR published its forecast for employment in November 2011, taking full account of policy announcements. The OBR forecasts that total employment will increase by around 1 million between the start of 2011 and the start of 2017. Within this, market sector employment is expected to increase by around 1.7 million, offsetting a total reduction in general government employment of around 710,000.
	The Government are implementing a wide reaching programme of structural reforms. Work has started on all 137 commitments in “The Plan for Growth” and substantial progress has been made. Building on this, the Government announced further action in the autumn statement of 29 November 2011, Official Report, columns 799-810, to accelerate their supply side reforms to invest in infrastructure, support enterprise and build a stronger and more balanced economy.

Gift Aid: Sports

Paul Maynard: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  if he will consider amending the terms of the Community Amateur Sports Club Scheme to allow clubs to claim Gift Aid on (a) corporate donations and (b) junior subscription fees;
	(2)  if he will consider amending the terms of the Community Amateur Sports Club Scheme to allow clubs to de-register if they can demonstrate that membership is no longer of benefit to them.

Chloe Smith: All taxes and reliefs are kept under review and any changes are announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer as part of the Budget process.

Motor Vehicles: Insurance

Heidi Alexander: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the likely effect on women's motor insurance premiums of the European Court of Justice ruling on the consideration of gender in the determination of premiums.

Mark Hoban: The Treasury issued a consultation document in December 2011 setting out the Government's response to the European Court of Justice ruling. This included an impact assessment outlining the likely effect of the judgment on male and female policyholders in different lines of insurance. The consultation document can be found on the Treasury's website:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/condoc_insurance_benefits _and_premiums.pdf
	In the field of motor insurance, premiums for men and women currently differ quite considerably owing to the fact that men are far more likely to suffer death or serious injury when driving than women. The differing cost of claims brought about as a result is reflected in the respective premiums charged to the different genders.
	The European Court of Justice ruling will, from December 2012 onwards, prohibit insurers from pricing insurance premiums differently for men and women to reflect their respective risks. Instead insurance policies will need to be priced neutrally. As a result female drivers, particularly those in younger age groups will incur higher premiums to subsidise the risks posed by their male counterparts. We have estimated that women may see up to a 24% increase in their motor insurance premiums.

National Insurance

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many businesses have taken part in the Government's regional national insurance holiday.

David Gauke: As of 16 February 2012, HMRC has received 12,827 successful applications for the regional national insurance holiday.

Public Expenditure: Devolution

Katy Clark: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any increased private sector involvement in the NHS as a result of the implementation of the provisions of the Health and Social Care Bill will affect the level of funding paid to Scotland under the Barnett formula.

Danny Alexander: The provisions of the Health and Social Care Bill will not affect the level of funding paid to Scotland under the Barnett formula.

Public Sector: Pay

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 20 December 2011, Official Report, column 1158W, on public sector: pay, what consideration he has given to a flat rate payment to public sector workers earning less than £21,000.

Danny Alexander: At the June 2010 Budget, the Government announced that there would be a two-year pay freeze for those earning the full-time equivalent of £21,000 or above. Those earning less than the full-time equivalent of £21,000 would be paid a minimum of £250 in these years. This policy is now being implemented in the workforces in which Ministers control pay.
	At the autumn statement, the Government announced that public sector pay awards will average at 1% for the two years following the pay freeze. The precise award given to employees will be determined according to the normal paysetting processes for each workforce—for example after consulting the independent pay review bodies.

Public Sector: Pay

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many public sector jobs with a salary over £142,500 the Chief Secretary to the Treasury has approved in the last year; and what the (a) job description is and (b) total salary is for each such job.

Danny Alexander: Since May 2010, I have been asked to approve the remuneration packages of 189 individuals earning more than £142,500.
	It would not be appropriate to reveal the details of discussions around individual salaries.
	However, the Cabinet Office publishes annually the data of senior officials in Departments, agencies and NDPBs earning over £150,000. The latest data was provided on 2 August 2011 and is available on the Cabinet Office website at:
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/senior-civil-servants-high-earners-salaries
	There are 291 individuals in the 2011 list compared to 345 in the 2010 disclosure.
	There was a previous postholder for comparison in only 83 of these cases, as you have cited in the House of Commons. The pay signed off was equal or lower than the previous postholder in 45 instances, saving approximately £1 million.

Student Loans Company: Pay

Nick Brown: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the principal elements were of the proposed remuneration package for the Chief Executive of the Student Loans Company that were taken into consideration by Ministers in his Department before the package was approved;
	(2)  when he first learnt of the proposed arrangements for remunerating the Chief Executive of the Student Loans Company;
	(3)  when the Permanent Secretary of his Department first learnt of the proposed arrangements for remunerating the Chief Executive of the Student Loans Company;
	(4)  when Ministers in his Department approved the remuneration package for the Chief Executive of the Student Loans Company, whether officials drew to their attention the implications for income tax and national insurance receipts.

Danny Alexander: In May 2010, it was announced that I would be required to sign-off the salaries of any individuals earning over £142,500, in areas under ministerial control.
	In December 2010 I was asked to consider the salary of the chief executive of the Student Loans Company, when his appointment was agreed for a two-year fixed term, following his previous appointment as interim chief executive. I agreed to a salary at a rate reduced from that which had applied to the interim appointment. The Permanent Secretary to the Treasury was not consulted as part of this process.
	I was not asked to sign off the terms of the salary—and was not made aware of any potential tax benefit to the individual. Since it came to light that an appointment has been made which could be perceived as seeking to minimise tax payments, I have announced an urgent review of senior public sector appointments, to ascertain the extent to which such arrangements are used and to make appropriate recommendations.
	The Government do not believe that tax avoidance is appropriate in the public sector, and the use of tax avoidance devices is already expressly forbidden in “Managing Public Money”—the guidance for public spending against which Departments are audited.

Sustainable Transport

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 7 February 2012, Official Report, column 14WS, on sustainable transport, whether there will be a Barnett consequential to the devolved Administrations arising from the funding in the announcement.

Danny Alexander: The funding for these programmes is being met from within existing resources. Therefore there will be no Barnett consequentials arising from the funding which is being provided to Sustrans and the Cycle Rail Working Group.

Tax Avoidance: Pay

David Winnick: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps have been taken by HM Revenue and Customs to ensure that remuneration payments for individuals are not made to companies set up solely to minimise income tax liabilities.

David Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs bought in the intermediaries legislation, commonly known as IR35, in April 2000. This legislation means that where the individual would be engaged on employment terms if it was not for the company; then the company must make payments for the employer NICs as well as the employee NICs and PAYE.

Third Sector

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what contribution his Department is making to implementation of the Compact with the voluntary sector; and if he will make a statement.

Chloe Smith: HM Treasury, along with all central Government Departments and NDPBs, signed up to the renewed Compact published in December 2010.
	The Compact is a voluntary agreement that sets out shared principles for effective partnership working between the Government and voluntary and civil society organisations in England.
	Although HMT is not a delivery Department, and the focus of our role is ensuring that Departments deliver on the Government's objectives and provide value for money in the delivery of services, we do engage with sector on a range of issues, including social finance and, working with HMRC, charity tax.

VAT: Business

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the rise in VAT in January 2012 on small businesses.

David Gauke: There was no increase in VAT in January 2012.

VAT: Housing

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his Department will consider the case for a one-year cut in VAT to five per cent. on home improvements.

David Gauke: The Government keep all tax policies under review, and any changes are announced by the Chancellor as part of the Budget process.

DEFENCE

Afghanistan: Peace Keeping Operations

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what potential gaps his Department has identified in Afghan National Security Forces' post-2014 capability with particular reference to counter-improvised explosive device technology.

Nick Harvey: Developing the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) is a key part of our counter-insurgency strategy. They have an essential role to play in providing both security and governance in Afghanistan.
	The training of the ANSF is a NATO-led process conducted through the NATO Training Mission Afghanistan. NATO supports ISAF to ensure that the ANSF are capable of providing security across Afghanistan by the end of 2014. This includes training to develop the Afghan Counter—Improvised Explosive Device capability so that they will be able to meet any remaining IED threat by 2015.
	Both the Afghan Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of the Interior have Counter-Improvised Explosive Device departments. A number of training courses are offered to their personnel ranging from a 13-week Explosive Ordnance Device course to a four-week Explosive Hazard Reductions course. Training to build the Afghan's Counter-Improvised Explosive Device capability is progressing in step with the transition timetable.

Afghanistan: Peace Keeping Operations

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role his Department foresees for UK defence equipment manufacturers in the implementation of the planned expenditure of (a) NATO and (b) US funds designated for the purchase and provision of (i) military equipment and (ii) training packages for the Afghan National Security Forces after 2014.

Nick Harvey: Work that will determine the future size and shape of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) is ongoing. In tandem, detailed planning is under way that will set out how the forces will be funded beyond 2014. Consequently it is too early to give an assessment of the prospective role that UK defence manufacturers may have in equipping and training the ANSF beyond this date.
	The ANSF are on target to reach their maximum “surge” size of 352,000 by November 2012, and are being equipped to support that number. Beyond 2014 the focus will be on sustainment and NATO is giving increasing emphasis to the enabling functions necessary to ensure the self sufficiency of the forces as they get ready to take full responsibility for security across the country.
	The commissioning of equipment for the ANSF after 2014 will be a decision for the Afghans themselves, though we hope that there will always be a place for UK industry to apply to support them.

Afghanistan: Peace Keeping Operations

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent estimate he has made of the proportion of the stock of UK military equipment in Afghanistan which is (a) suitable and (b) unsuitable for use by Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF); what assessment he has made of whether UK equipment is (i) economic and (ii) uneconomic for (A) return to the UK and (B) gifting to the ANSF; who will operate complex military systems required for post-2014 operations in Afghanistan; what research and development his Department is commissioning from UK defence companies for alternative military systems for use by the ANSF after the withdrawal of specialist International Security Assistance Force operators; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: In accordance with transition, the NATO Training Mission Afghanistan is providing training to the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) to ensure that they are appropriately equipped and ready to assume full security responsibility across the country by the end of 2014. While some international forces will remain in Afghanistan beyond this date (to provide further training and support), the ANSF will be responsible for operating and sustaining their own equipment. The commissioning of equipment for the ANSF after 2014 will be a decision for the Afghan Government. However, we hope that there will be a place for UK industry to support them.
	Work on managing the recovery of UK equipment is under way. However, it is too early to state what equipment we plan to retain and whether any will be gifted to the Afghans. We are conscious that uncoordinated gifting could put ANSF sustainability at risk; the underlying requirement is that all gifted equipment is sustainable in terms of cost of ownership, support and enduring training. Our approach on gifting will, therefore, be co-ordinated with that of NATO and ISAF. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis using the principles of operational priority and value for money to the UK taxpayer.

Afghanistan: Peace Keeping Operations

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the potential vulnerability of UK military training personnel to insurgent attack following the withdrawal of UK combat forces, with reference to the proposed training academy for Afghan National Security Forces officers.

Nick Harvey: UK and international forces are helping to build the strength and capability of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) to ensure that they are ready to accept full security responsibility across Afghanistan by the end of 2014. Progress continues to be made in building the force: they are deploying in formed units; carrying out their own operations; and planning complex security arrangements. They have responded to a series of high-profile attacks promptly, professionally and increasingly independent of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) support. After 2014, UK troops will continue to support the ANSF by providing training at the new Afghan National Army Officer Academy. We will continue to work with other ISAF nations and the Afghan Government to ensure that necessary force protection measures are in place for UK military personnel.

British Antarctic Survey

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what support his Department gives to the British Antarctic Survey.

Nick Harvey: The Ministry of Defence provides a range of logistic support to the British Antarctic Survey (BAS). BAS utilises the Falkland Islands military airbridge and has access to East Cove Military Port in the Falkland Islands for water, fuel and other stores. BAS is charged for use of the airbridge and for stores provided. Royal Navy vessels deployed to the South Atlantic make regular port calls to BAS bases on South Georgia. The Royal Navy ice patrol vessel which is present in the region throughout the austral summer provides some logistical support to BAS assets in Antarctica.

Falkland Islands: Armed Forces

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to deploy armed forces to the Falklands; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: holding answer 22 February 2012
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Secretary of State for Defence, the right hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), on 20 February 2012, Official Report, column 596.

MOD Bicester

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what savings were made from the restructuring of Ministry of Defence Logistics, Bicester in 2008;
	(2)  whether an evaluation was conducted of the restructuring of Ministry of Defence Logistics, Bicester in 2008.

Peter Luff: The restructuring of the former Defence Storage and Distribution Agency (DSDA), of which Logistic Services Bicester was a part, was considered under the Future Defence Supply Chain Initiative (FDSCi). In November 2009, Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) published a FDSCi Value for Money Post-Project Review and Lessons Learnt report. This assessed the financial savings to the agency as being £31 million per year in 2005-06, rising to £46 million per year by the end of 2009-10. These figures were not presented on a site-by-site basis and savings from the FDSCi initiative that can be directly attributed to Logistic Services Bicester are not available.
	In August 2010, DSDA relinquished its agency status and its responsibilities were absorbed into DE&S, its parent organisation.

MOD Bicester: Large Goods Vehicles

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what the total mileage covered by his Department's trucks from MOD Bicester was in each year since 2005;
	(2)  how many miles were driven by drivers from (a) Palletways, (b) couriers, (c) hauliers and (d) other non-Ministry of Defence organisations using MOD Logistics Bicester in each year between 2005 and 2010;
	(3)  how many drops his Department's trucks using MOD Bicester made in each year between 2005 and 2010;
	(4)  what proportion of the miles driven by drivers on behalf of MOD Logistics were driven south of Northampton in each of the last three years;
	(5)  what the cost of MOD Bicester Logistics staff drivers was in (a) 2006-07, (b) 2007-08, (c) 2008-09 and (d) 2009-10;
	(6)  what the total tonnage of supplies transported by Ministry of Defence Bicester was in each year since 2005.

Peter Luff: Information about the mileage and number of deliveries made by Ministry of Defence (MOD) owned road vehicles based at Logistic Services Bicester is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Information on the cost of drivers employed by the MOD at Logistic Services Bicester is not available in the format requested. The following table contains the manpower costs of the industrial staff employed in the road transport section at that site. Not all of these personnel will be employed as drivers.
	
		
			  £ million 
			 2006-07 2.2 
			 2007-08 2.4 
			 2008-09 2.9 
			 2009-10 2.2 
		
	
	The increase in manpower costs shown in the table for 2007-08 and 2008-09 was because of increased transport activity in support of the reorganisation of Defence Storage and Distribution at that time.
	Information about the mileage undertaken by contract freight services (including special courier) from Logistic Services Bicester and information about the tonnage of material transported by either MOD transport or contract freight services from Logistic Services Bicester is not held.

BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS

Billing: EU Action

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills when he plans to bring forward proposals to transpose the EU directive on late payments into UK law.

Mark Prisk: The UK is required to transpose the EU directive 2011/7/EU on combating late payment by 16 March 2013. While we have already consulted on the draft directive, we plan to consult business and their representatives further, as part of the transposition process, and to strengthen UK Government policy to tackle late payment.

Copyright: Science

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to promote growth and innovation by increasing open access to scientific research data.

David Willetts: holding answer 20 February 2012
	The Government are committed to ensuring that publicly funded research should be accessible free of charge.
	As stated in paragraph 6.6 of the ‘Innovation and Research Strategy for Growth’, published in December 2011:
	http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/innovation/docs/i/11-1387-innovation-and-research-strategy-for-growth.pdf
	“Government will work with partners, including the publishing industry, to achieve free access to publicly-funded research as soon as possible and will set an example themselves.
	We have helped establish an independent working group chaired by Janet Finch to consider how to improve access to research publications, including publicly-funded research. This will report in early 2012.
	The Royal Society is considering how to improve the sharing and disclosing of research data, both within the research community and beyond. It will report in early 2012.
	Alan Langlands is chairing a task force to advise on improving the accessibility of data within Government and its agencies, which will advise on data linkage, conditions of access and data quality. This will report during 2012.”
	The Government will consider further steps in light of the findings and recommendations from these groups.
	As an immediate step, the Research Councils are investing £2.1 million in the development, by 2013, of a UK ‘Gateway to Research’ designed to facilitate the translation of research and innovation in support of both the Government's transparency and growth agenda. This Gateway will initially allow public users ready access to Research Council funded research and will be designed to allow inclusion of research funded by others, in due course. The Research Councils have initiated this project and will be working with their partners and users to ensure information is presented in a readily reusable form, using common formats and open standards.

Departmental Responsibilities

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he plans to respond to the report by The Bootstrap Recovery published on 14 February 2012 by Intellect UK; on what dates he plans to publish any such response; and what steps he plans to take in response to the recommendation on avoiding fragmentation of responsibilities between his Department and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

David Willetts: The Bootstrap Recovery is not a report to Government but an industry report published by Intellect the Trade Association and there are no plans for a Government response. We continue to work closely with Department for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport colleagues and Intellect on issues related to the competitiveness and growth of the UK ICT sector, and its impact on productivity more generally in the economy.

Further Education: Higher Education

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of changes in numbers of applications to further education colleges to study higher education qualifications in the 2011-12 academic year.

David Willetts: The following table contains data provided by UCAS showing the number of applications to enter full-time undergraduate courses at further education colleges in the 2011-12 academic year, compared to 2010-11. UCAS do not process applications to part-time higher education courses.
	
		
			 Applications to full-time undergraduate courses at further education colleges main scheme applicants only (1) 
			  Year of entry 
			  2010 2011 
			 Further education colleges(2) 40,768 45,753 
			 Other institutions 2,679,730 2,801,259 
			 All institutions 2,720,498 2,847,012 
			 (1) Main scheme applicants are those who apply by the 30 June deadline. Each applicant can submit up to five applications, or up to four if they are applying for medical, dentistry or veterinary science courses. 2 The number of FECs participating in the UCAS application system changes from year to year. The figures in the table cover the FECs which were part of the system in each year shown. Source: Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

Higher Education: Admissions

Teresa Pearce: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  how many people progressed on an access to higher education course subsequently enrolled at a higher education institution in each of the last five years;
	(2)  if he will provide a breakdown by (a) age, (b) sex, (c) socio-economic status, (d) ethnicity and (e) subject studied of students who enrolled in an access to higher education course and subsequently progressed to higher education in each of the last five years.

David Willetts: holding answer 6 February 2012
	Information on how many people progressed from an Access to higher education (HE) course to enrol at a UK higher education institution is available in the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) Key Statistics report which is published annually.
	The Key Statistics 2011 report provides the latest available data on students who studied an Access to HE course and shows information on age, gender, socio-demographic profile, ethnicity and subject of study. The full report is available at this link to the QAA website:
	http://www.qaa.ac.uk/Newsroom/PressReleases/Pages/diploma-wider-access-to-he.aspx
	Reports for previous years can be found at this link to the QAA website:
	http://www.accesstohe.ac.uk/partners/statisticsarchive/default.asp

Hydrofluorocarbons

Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions he has had with Ministerial colleagues on future regulation of hydrofluorocarbons.

David Willetts: This Department engaged in inter-departmental ministerial correspondence on the future regulation of hydrofluorocarbons, led by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Meriden (Mrs Spelman). These related to:
	the UK approach for the Montreal Protocol meeting which took place in November 2011; and
	the UK approach for the Durban Climate Change Conference which took place in November 2011.

Innovation

Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  what meetings were held between HM Treasury and officials of his Department on the creation of the new Innovation and Research Strategy;
	(2)  what involvement HM Treasury officials had in the creation of the Innovation and Research Strategy.

David Willetts: The Government's Innovation and Research Strategy for Growth was developed jointly across Government including with HM Treasury officials. BIS officials worked closely with HM Treasury with regular meetings at official level throughout as policy and proposals developed. HM Treasury was also represented on the steering group that met on three occasions.
	BIS officials and those in HM Treasury also worked closely to develop the additional £75 million small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) package that was announced in the autumn statement of 29 November 2011, Official Report, column 799-810, with further details set out in the strategy.

Members: Correspondence

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills when he plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Harrow West on the answering of a parliamentary question; and if he will make a statement.

David Willetts: I shall be replying to the hon. Member shortly. I apologise for the delay in doing so.

National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many businesses in (a) Wales, (b) England, (c) Scotland and (d) Northern Ireland have received investment funding from the National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts in each of the last five years; and what the total monetary value of funding in each nation was in each such year.

David Willetts: Investment funding from the National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts (NESTA) to businesses in each of the last five years is detailed in the following table.
	
		
			 Financial year Nation Number of businesses funded Total funding to businesses (£) 
			 2007-08 (a) Wales 1 130,000 
			  (b) England 15 2,341,805 
			  (c) Scotland 3 419,998 
			  (d) Northern Ireland — — 
			     
			 2008-09 (a) Wales 1 250,000 
			  (b) England 13 2,032,664 
			  (c) Scotland — — 
			  (d) Northern Ireland — — 
			     
			 2009-10 (a) Wales 1 339,000 
			  (b) England 14 4,505,019 
			  (c) Scotland 1 36,000 
			  (d) Northern Ireland — — 
			     
			 2010-11 (a) Wales 1 201,903 
			  (b) England 13 3,909,752 
			  (c) Scotland 1 114,000 
			  (d) Northern Ireland — — 
			     
			 2011-to date (a) Wales 1 437,814 
			  (b) England 9 2,812,965 
			  (c) Scotland — — 
			  (d) Northern Ireland — — 
		
	
	As well as investing directly in innovative start-up companies, NESTA invests into investment funds across the UK as part of its investment strategy. These investment funds have similar investment criteria to those which NESTA apply. NESTA does not hold data for the geographic location of investments by these investment funds.
	
		
			 Financial year Total funding to investment funds (£) 
			 2007-08 259,765 
			 2008-09 804,284 
			 2009-10 728,098 
			 2010-11 847,663 
			 2011-to date 1,474,351

Overseas Trade: Argentina

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what projects led to Argentina owing debt to UK Export Finance; and when this debt was first created.

Norman Lamb: The Export Credits Guarantee Department (UK Export Finance) is currently carrying out an exercise to ascertain what information exists to be able to identify individual projects. Because of the age of the related export contracts and the sheer volume of files involved, this exercise is ongoing. When it is complete, the outcome will be placed in the Libraries of the House.
	The outstanding debt owed by Argentina to the Export Credits Guarantee Department (UK Export Finance) relates to export contracts entered into before December 1983.

Overseas Trade: Argentina

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether Argentina has defaulted on loans owed to or guaranteed by the Export Credits Guarantee Department.

Norman Lamb: Argentina defaulted on export credit loans guaranteed by the Export Credits Guarantee Department in 1985.

Post Offices

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will take steps to ensure that more Government services are accessible at the post office.

Norman Lamb: holding answer 20 February 2012
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer my predecessor, my hon. Friend the Member for Kingston and Surbiton (Mr Davey), gave to the hon. Member for Northampton North (Michael Ellis) on 26 January 2012, Official Report, column 368W. I support Post Office Ltd's ambition to deliver more services on behalf of national and local government. Post Office Ltd is working hard to achieve this, including engaging with Government, and I believe they are now on the right path to fulfil their ambition. Recent examples of success include the Post Office being selected as the chosen delivery partner to collect digital data for UK Border Agency Biometric Residence Permits, being selected to provide part of an identity-based registration service on behalf of the Skills Funding Agency and, at the local level, being the successful bidder for a range of ‘front office’ services for Westminster council.

Post Offices: Closures

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 24 January 2012, Official Report, columns 8-12WS, on the post office network, 
	(1)  how many temporarily closed post office branches have been closed for more than (a) one month, (b) three months, (c) six months and (d) one year;
	(2)  how many temporarily closed post office branches are in (a) urban and (b) rural areas;
	(3)  how many of the 11,801 post office branches are designated as temporarily closed;
	(4)  how many post office branches were open and trading on 1 December 2011.

Norman Lamb: The network figures that were published in the written ministerial statement of 24 January 2012, Official Report, columns 8-12WS, represented the total number of branches that were open and trading at the end of December 2011. This figure does not include branches that are, for a variety of reasons, temporarily closed.
	In November 2010, the Government made a commitment that there would be no programme of post office closures, and instead provided £1.34 billion to maintain a Post office network of at least 11,500 branches, and for Post Office Ltd to continue to meet the strict access criteria. Meeting these commitments is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd, and the Government, as shareholder, do not play a role in the management of the network. I have therefore asked Paula Vennells, the Managing Director of Post Office Ltd, to respond directly to the hon. Member and a copy of her reply will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Public Houses

Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to the resolution of the House of 12 January 2012, on pub companies, what steps he plans to take to commission an independent review of self regulation of the pub industry.

Norman Lamb: On 24 November the Government announced a new tough and legally binding form of self-regulation for the pub industry, including a strengthened Industry Framework Code and the establishment of a Pubs Independent Conciliation and Arbitration Service (PICAS). As the code will now be legally binding, it will ultimately be enforceable through the courts. It would not be appropriate, at this stage, to commission an independent review.

Public Houses

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what representations he has received on the pub companies offering tied and free of tie options to their tenants.

Norman Lamb: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has received numerous representations from pub landlords, licensee groups, family brewers and pub companies on the matter of pub companies offering tied and free of tie options to their tenants.

Science: Finance

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 23 January 2012, Official Report, column 116W, on Science: Finance, what programmes were included in science expenditure outside of the UK in 2010-11.

David Willetts: holding answer 20 February 2012
	The Research Councils contribute to a number of collaborative science and research activities outside of the UK. This is predominantly made up of international subscriptions to multi-national science facilities as follows:
	
		
			  £ million 
			 European Space Agency 135 
			 European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) 64 
			 European Molecular Biology Laboratory 13 
			 European Southern Observatory 10 
			 European Synchrotron Radiation Facility 6 
			 Integrated Ocean Drilling Programme 4 
			 EMBC International Collaboration 3 
			 Other Collaborative Research Programmes 10 
		
	
	These figures do not include overseas expenditure disbursed through the Research Councils Institutes.

Written Questions: Government Responses

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills when he plans to answer question 91631 tabled by the hon. Member for Leeds West on 20 January 2012 for answer on 25 January 2012.

Norman Lamb: I replied to the hon. Member on 22 February 2012.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

British Antarctic Survey

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support his Department gives to the British Antarctic Survey.

Henry Bellingham: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) provides diplomatic and some financial assistance to the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) in support of the valuable contribution it makes to the British Government's objectives in the British Antarctic Territory and South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, including by maintaining a British presence in the region and delivering a world-class science programme.
	Both FCO and BAS represent the UK at meetings of the Antarctic Treaty System. The FCO also provides direct diplomatic support to BAS, both for its operations, such as, through diplomatic clearance for ships and aircrafts, as well as supporting BAS's international engagement with national Antarctic programmes of other Antarctic Treaty Parties.
	The FCO and the Government of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands each funds BAS £500,000 per annum towards the operation of the administration and fisheries research station on King Edward Point on South Georgia. The FCO also provides small-scale ad hoc funding to BAS to support specific projects, in line with the UK's strategies for the British Antarctic Territory and South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands.

China

Frank Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions officials in his Department have had with the Shanghai-based company, Zhenhua Heavy Industries, on the awarding of steel contracts for the Forth Replacement Crossing bridge project.

Jeremy Browne: Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials have not had any discussions with Zhenhua Heavy Industries on the awarding of steel contracts for the Forth Replacement Crossing bridge project.

Hotels

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the names are of the hotels used by his Department to provide accommodation for staff based abroad when visiting the UK.

Henry Bellingham: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) does not routinely provide accommodation for staff based abroad visiting the UK. If staff based overseas have to pay duty visits to the UK and have no other accommodation they can use, then they may claim reasonable actual expenditure on accommodation for the period of the duty visit. The guidance provided to staff means they should find a hotel through the FCO's contracted travel agent, Hogg Robinson, who is able to achieve discounted rates for FCO staff at various hotels.
	Staff on private visits to the UK have to meet their own costs.

Occupied Territories

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the compatibility of Israel's proposed evictions and demolitions in the Silwan area of East Jerusalem with its obligations under (a) international law, (b) UN resolutions relating to Israel/Palestine and (c) the human rights provisions of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

Alistair Burt: We are seriously concerned at Israel's proposed evictions and demolitions of Palestinian homes in the Silwan area of East Jerusalem and are urging the Israeli authorities to desist.
	We consider the proposed actions to be contrary to Israel's obligations as an occupying power under international humanitarian law as well as causing unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians and as unhelpful to the peace process.
	We consistently call on the Israeli Government to abide by their obligations under international law, as reflected in numerous UN resolutions on the issue of Israel/Palestine.
	The EU is not currently considering the proposed actions specifically as part of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. The position taken by the EU, which we support, is that no progress can be made on upgrading the EU-Israel relationship until there is substantial progress towards a two-state solution.

Scotland

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the potential number of cross-border treaties and other agreements that would be required in the first year of an independent Scotland.

Jeremy Browne: The Government are clear that Scotland benefits from being part of the UK and the UK benefits from having Scotland within it. Government Departments are not making plans for independence.

Syria

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent estimate his Department has made of the number of (a) civilian casualties and (b) displaced people as a result of the recent violence in Syria.

Alistair Burt: The UN estimates more than 5,400 people have been killed, including 380 children, since the popular uprising began in March 2011. More than 14,000 people are reported to be in detention, at least 12,400 have sought refuge in neighbouring countries and tens of thousands have been internally displaced.
	We are clear this situation is intolerable. We welcome the Arab League's continued leadership in seeking an end to the violence in Syria. We are working with them to bring the widest possible political, economic and diplomatic weight to bear on President Assad's regime.

Turks and Caicos Islands

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made on the installation of the Turks and Caicos Coastal Radar System.

Henry Bellingham: Structural work on the Coastal Radar Station is complete. The replacement items of electronic equipment have been ordered (funded by the British Government) and installation, testing and training is planned for May.

JUSTICE

Racial Discrimination: Sports

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2012, Official Report, columns 445-6W, on civil disorder, if his Department will liaise with its Criminal Justice System partners to ensure adequate resources are available to enable the case of Mr John Terry to be heard in the near future.

Jonathan Djanogly: Sufficient resources are available for the day to day functioning of the Criminal Justice System. It is a judicial decision when, in the interest of justice, a case should be heard and this will include consideration of any matters relevant to that case.

Court Orders: Compensation

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many compensation orders were issued for each (a) offence and (b) sentence type in each of the last five years; and what the total value compensation orders was for each offence type;
	(2)  how many compensation orders issued in each of the last five years were (a) paid in full, (b) partly paid and (c) unpaid by the offender; and what the total value was in each case;
	(3)  what the amount was of each of the 20 highest compensation orders issued against offenders in each of the last five years; and to what offence each compensation order was related.

Crispin Blunt: The number of compensation orders issued by offence type, in England and Wales for 2006 to 2010 (latest available) is given in Table (a). Compensation orders issued by main sentence received can be viewed in Table (b). The total value of compensation orders issued by offence type can be found in Table (c) and the amount for each of the 20 highest compensation orders issued is given in Table (d).
	Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service does not hold centrally the value compensation orders that were paid in full, partly paid or unpaid for the last five years. To obtain this information would require a manual inspection of local records and could be provided only at disproportionate costs.
	Annual court proceedings data for 2011 are planned for publication in May 2012.
	
		
			 Table (a) Compensation orders imposed by offence type, in England and Wales , 2006- 10 (1,2) 
			 Offence type Offence 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 
			 Violence against the person ABH 8,080 7,953 7,026 6,699 6,920 
			  GBH without intent/malicious wounding 1,244 1,248 1,111 1,064 1,230 
		
	
	
		
			  More serious wounding or other act endangering life 74 90 68 51 69 
			  Other Homicide 0 0 0 3 1 
			  Other Offences involving loss of life 1 1 0 0 0 
			  Other violence with injury 703 745 746 763 962 
			  Other violence without injury 605 698 649 716 787 
			  Possession of weapons 80 191 153 84 62 
			 Sexual offences Sexual Assault 251 288 274 282 314 
			  Rape 1 1 0 1 1 
			  Other sexual offences 100 137 121 97 107 
			 Burglary Burglary 4,250 4,519 4,447 4,462 4,599 
			 Robbery Robbery 1,415 1,755 1,432 1,574 1,515 
			 Theft and handling stolen goods Handling stolen goods 659 769 687 825 652 
			  Theft 16,472 19,886 21,757 22,549 24,211 
			 Fraud and forgery Forgery 158 126 91 53 33 
			  Fraud 3,730 3,659 4,037 4,235 4,386 
			 Criminal damage Criminal damage 5,716 5,732 4,249 3,141 2,946 
			 Drug offences Possession Cannabis 17 641 633 24 31 
			  Possession class A 9 485 441 16 S 
			  Possession class B 2 127 122 4 6 
			  Possession class C 3 118 96 2 4 
			  Possession class not known 0 1 1 0 0 
			  Production Cannabis 0 54 65 6 5 
			  Production Class A 0 2 0 0 0 
			  Production class B 0 0 3 0 0 
			  Production class C 1 7 5 4 1 
			  Production class unknown 0 1 0 0 0 
			  Supply Cannabis 0 6 6 2 2 
			  Supply class A 3 14 5 5 0 
			  Supply class B 0 1 1 0 0 
			  Supply class C 0 2 2 1 1 
			  Supply class unknown 0 4 3 1 0 
			  Other drug offences 1 13 14 6 3 
			 Other indictable offences Absconding whilst on bail 33 919 556 31 32 
			  Public Order 1,355 1,479 1,110 1,090 1,078 
			  Other indictable offences 473 611 726 480 499 
			 Indictable motoring offences Indictable motoring 177 170 179 141 137 
			 Summary non-motoring offences Assault on a constable 6,095 6,605 6,376 5,857 5,399 
			  Common Assault 25,474 27,276 26,514 25,776 25,611 
			  Motor vehicle licence offences 53 522 226 98 74 
			  Other summary offences 40,282 48,131 52,001 49,882 48,584 
			  Summary criminal damage 19,917 21,410 22,651 22,689 21,931 
			  TV licence evasion 13 9,479 12,665 80 16 
			 Summary motoring offences Drink/drug driving 176 9,079 6,978 259 159 
			  Driving uninsured 229 9,895 16,190 266 166 
			  Licence and insurance fraud 58 1,625 3,428 43 35 
			  Speed limit offences 4 9,763 18,565 83 44 
			  Vehicle test and condition offences 3 1,105 1,919 7 8 
		
	
	
		
			  Other summary motoring offences 6,531 16,844 25,953 4,156 1,799 
			 All offences  144,448 214,485 244,282 157,410 154,428 
			 (1) The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice 
		
	
	
		
			 Table (b) Compensation orders imposed by main sentence received* in England and Wales, 2006-10 (1,2) 
			 Sentences 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 
			 Absolute discharge 381 377 319 326 305 
			 Conditional discharge 18,833 20,316 18,883 17,850 19,036 
			 Fine 50,152 113,371 139,014 60,353 58,819 
			 Community sentence 52,702 56,448 56,064 59,070 55,453 
			 Suspended sentence 7,833 9,849 10,368 10,378 10,913 
			 Immediate custody 1,477 1,630 1,503 1,456 1,358 
			 Otherwise dealt with 13,070 12,494 18,131 7,977 8,544 
			 All sentences 144,448 214,485 244,282 157,410 154,428 
			 (1) The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice 
		
	
	
		
			 Table (c) Total value of compensation orders imposed by offence type, in England and Wales 2006 - 10 (1,2) 
			 £ 
			 Offences 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 
			 Violence against the person 3,922,596 3,964,982 4,497,515 3,489,668 3,850,784 
			 Sexual offences 88,186 96,140 632,036 94,609 189,505 
			 Burglary 1,172,883 1,167,107 1,266,590 1,043,356 1,135,381 
			 Robbery 510,870 2,379,401 432,334 423,291 235,607 
			 Theft and handling stolen goods 6,237,713 6,850,597 7,080,626 12,033,786 6,087,616 
			 Fraud and forgery 4,516,806 5,492,996 4,978,107 9,920,440 10,306,843 
			 Criminal damage 1,271,441 1,393,920 1,363,032 803,465 768,727 
			 Drug offences 5,464 1,049,472 56,021 57,552 17,155 
			 Other (excl. motoring offences) 1,165,849 1,039,841 1,102,837 1,537,655 1,135,678 
			 Indictable motoring offences 91,649 72,063 182,808 67,390 80,304 
			       
			 Summary non-motoring offences 11,144,661 10,297,245 10,344,459 14,543,447 20,460,447 
			 Summary motoring offences 621,522 1,290,694 1,506,528 482,493 332,663 
			       
			 All offence types 30,749,640 35,094,458 33,442,893 44,497,152 44,620,710 
			 (1)The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice 
		
	
	
		
			 Table (d) Twenty highest value compensation orders imposed by offence and value of order England and Wales, 2006-10 (1,2) 
			 Offence type Amount (£) 
			 2006  
			 Fraud and Forgery 433,200.00 
			 Other Indictable (Not Motoring) 400,000.00 
			 Theft and Handling 306,000.00 
			 Theft and Handling 255,000.00 
			 Fraud and Forgery 225,000.00 
			 Fraud and Forgery 130,500.00 
			 Robbery 129,000.00 
			 Theft and Handling 128,900.00 
			 Theft and Handling 115,100.00 
			 Fraud and Forgery 97,700.00 
		
	
	
		
			 Theft and Handling 72,800.00 
			 Violence Against Person 70,000.00 
			 Theft and Handling 63,600.00 
			 Other Indictable (Not Motoring) 54,700.00 
			 Fraud and Forgery 48,900.00 
			 Fraud and Forgery 43,800.00 
			 Burglary 43,285.00 
			 Fraud and Forgery 42,600.00 
			 Theft and Handling 42,500.00 
			 Theft and Handling 41,400.00 
			   
			 2007  
			 Robbery 1,902,000.00 
			 Drug Offences 1,000,000.00 
			 Fraud and Forgery 665,600.00 
			 Fraud and Forgery 340,500.00 
			 Fraud and Forgery 257,300.00 
			 Theft and Handling 239,900.00 
			 Theft and Handling 198,000.00 
			 Fraud and Forgery 194,100.00 
			 Theft and Handling 190,000.00 
			 Other Indictable (Not Motoring) 174,500.00 
			 Fraud and Forgery 147,000.00 
			 Theft and Handling 91,000.00 
			 Theft and Handling 90,800.00 
			 Fraud and Forgery 80,400.00 
			 Theft and Handling 72,200.00 
			 Fraud and Forgery 64,000.00 
			 Theft and Handling 58,500.00 
			 Theft and Handling 56,400.00 
			 Theft and Handling 54,500.00 
			 Fraud and Forgery 53,400.00 
			   
			 2008  
			 Theft and Handling 578,000.00 
			 Sexual Offences 500,000.00 
			 Fraud and Forgery 462,500.00 
			 Fraud and Forgery 239,300.00 
			 Theft and Handling 220,000.00 
			 Theft and Handling 177,100.00 
			 Fraud and Forgery 131,000.00 
			 Theft and Handling 121,000.00 
			 Fraud and Forgery 117,000.00 
			 Fraud and Forgery 111,200.00 
			 Theft and Handling 110,000.00 
			 Criminal Damage 101,000.00 
			 Criminal Damage 101,000.00 
			 Indictable Motoring 100,000.00 
			 Fraud and Forgery 81,500.00 
			 Theft and Handling 76,000.00 
			 Violence Against Person 75,000.00 
			 Violence Against Person 75,000.00 
			 Violence Against Person 75,000.00 
			 Theft and Handling 70,500.00 
			   
			 2009  
			 Other Indictable (Not Motoring) 710,200.00 
			 Theft and Handling 530,000.00 
			 Theft and Handling 253,200.00 
			 Theft and Handling 240,400.00 
			 Fraud and Forgery 196,711.00 
			 Theft and Handling 183,000.00 
		
	
	
		
			 Theft and Handling 157,700.00 
			 Theft and Handling 137,700.00 
			 Fraud and Forgery 120,000.00 
			 Other Indictable (Not Motoring) 120,000.00 
			 Fraud and Forgery 107,000.00 
			 Theft and Handling 105,100.00 
			 Theft and Handling 104,900.00 
			 Violence Against Person 100,000.00 
			 Fraud and Forgery 97,600.00 
			 Theft and Handling 83,000.00 
			 Theft and Handling 83,000.00 
			 Fraud and Forgery 78,800.00 
			 Fraud and Forgery 78,000.00 
			 Fraud and Forgery 70,200.00 
			   
			 2010  
			 Fraud and Forgery 619,900.00 
			 Other Indictable (Not Motoring) 400,000.00 
			 Fraud and Forgery 246,400.00 
			 Fraud and Forgery 164,000.00 
			 Fraud and Forgery 153,100.00 
			 Fraud and Forgery 141,900.00 
			 Theft and Handling 111,600.00 
			 Theft and Handling 106,500.00 
			 Theft and Handling 100,200.00 
			 Fraud and Forgery 100,000.00 
			 Theft and Handling 100,000.00 
			 Fraud and Forgery 84,100.00 
			 Fraud and Forgery 80,000.00 
			 Sexual Offences 80,000.00 
			 Fraud and Forgery 76,700.00 
			 Theft and Handling 70,600.00 
			 Fraud and Forgery 69,912.00 
			 Theft and Handling 65,200.00 
			 Fraud and Forgery 59,100.00 
			 Fraud and Forgery 58,300.00 
			 (1) The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice

Euthanasia: Prosecutions

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice for what reasons he has no plans to bring forward legislative proposals to place on a statutory basis the Director of Public Prosecution's policy for prosecutors in respect of cases of encouraging or assisting suicide.

Crispin Blunt: The law is a matter for Parliament and the exercise of prosecutorial discretion is a matter for independent prosecutors. Placing the Director of Public Prosecution's detailed guidance “Policy for Prosecutors in respect of Cases of Encouraging or Assisting Suicide” in statute would curtail prosecutorial independence and fetter the discretion of prosecutors in this controversial area of law enforcement. The Government believe it is for Parliament to decide whether and, if so, how to amend the law around assisting suicide.

Forced Marriage

Margaret Hodge: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many women resident in the London borough of Barking and Dagenham were issued with Forced Marriage Protection Orders in the period (a) November 2008 to November 2009, (b) November 2009 to November 2010 and (c) November 2010 to November 2011;
	(2)  how many Forced Marriage Protection orders were issued in Romford county court for the period (a) November 2008 to November 2009, (b) December 2009 to November 2010 and (c) December 2010 to November 2011.

Jonathan Djanogly: Romford county court covers the Barking and Dagenham area. Since their introduction by the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act on 25 November 2008 and up to the end of September 2011, there were fewer than five Forced Marriage Protection Orders made in total at Romford county court. Exact figures on the number of orders issued in Romford county court for the periods requested cannot be provided, as releasing very small numbers could inadvertently lead to the identification of those individuals.
	We do not hold information centrally on people resident in the London borough of Barking and Dagenham who were issued a Forced Marriage Protection Order.

Members: Correspondence

Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when he plans to reply to the letter of 27 October 2011, from the hon. Member for Walsall South regarding a constituent's correspondence on the inclusion of a Defamation Bill in the next Queen's Speech.

Jonathan Djanogly: I apologise for the delay in replying, which was due to administration error. A reply has now been sent.

Prisoners: Pay

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much his Department has disbursed to victims' organisations following the implementation of the provisions of the Prisoners' Earnings Act 1996.

Crispin Blunt: It is a statutory requirement of the Prisoners' Earnings Act 1996 (PEA), which came into force on 26 September 2011, that the recipient(s) of its proceeds are formally prescribed by the Secretary of State. He has stated that in the first year of the PEA, the funds should go to Victim Support, the national charity for victims and witnesses of crime.
	The Ministry of Justice has not yet paid any revenue raised through the PEA to Victim Support. Victim Support is currently considering a number of potential projects and will make a final decision on the exact nature of the project to be funded when it is known how much revenue will be raised through the levy. The accumulated revenue will be paid to Victim Support before the end of this financial year.

Remand in Custody

Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what his policy is on people charged with non-violent crimes being placed on remand in a category A prison.

Crispin Blunt: Three of the eight high security prisons serve local courts and routinely receive remand prisoners who have been charged with any offence. In this way they have a similar role to other local prisons. These prisons also perform an important strategic function, holding provisional and sentenced category A prisoners in appropriate security conditions.

Translation Services

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many court sessions were (a) delayed and (b) cancelled due to problems with the provision of translators by Applied Language Solutions in the latest period for which figures are available.

Crispin Blunt: Figures are not currently available on the number of court hearings delayed or cancelled as result of problems with interpreters. There were an unacceptable number of problems in the first two weeks of full implementation of the contract after 30 January 2012, following a smoothly implemented new service in the North West pilot area during the previous two months. Close monitoring of the national roll out has ensured that an action plan to address the problems was in place within two weeks of the new interpreter service commencing on a national basis. This plan includes providing additional staff to deal with bookings, further targeted recruitment of interpreters in key languages and improvements to the call handling and complaints process. We remain committed to ensuring the rights and needs of those who require interpreters are safeguarded.

Translation Services

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he made prior to initiation of the new contract of the ability of Applied Language Solutions to meet the needs of the courts service.

Crispin Blunt: Applied Language Solutions took part in a robust and rigorous procurement process. The dialogue process ensured that all bidders had an understanding of the interpretation and translation needs of justice organisations. Ministry of Justice officials worked closely with Applied Language Solutions to seek to ensure that the supplier was in a position to meet the Ministry's needs. This included early implementation of the service in criminal courts in the north west in December 2011. That early implementation was successful and gave no indication of the issues which have arisen since full implementation on the 30 January 2012, which are being addressed.

EDUCATION

Academies: Vocational Guidance

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether academies created (a) before and (b) after May 2010 will be covered by the duties in relation to careers advice under the provisions of the Education Act 2011.

Nick Gibb: The model funding agreement for academies will be revised to include a clause requiring academies to secure access to independent and impartial careers guidance for pupils in years 9 to 11. The clause will reflect the statutory position for maintained schools.
	Academies will be subject to the destination measures which will set out the proportion of former pupils that progress to school sixth forms, colleges, apprenticeships and, eventually, to other forms of work. This will demonstrate the effectiveness of academies in ensuring their pupils are aware of the full range of post-16 education and training options open to them.

Adoption: Self-employed

Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many adoptive parents in the UK are self-employed.

Tim Loughton: Adoption is a devolved issue; this information is not collected centrally in England.

Pupil Numbers

Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 
	(1)  what proportion of A-level students at A2 achieving (a) at least three A or A* grades, (b) at least three C grades, (or points equivalent), and (c) grade C or above in mathematics, physics and chemistry were at (i) private schools or colleges and (ii) maintained schools or colleges in the most recent year for which figures are available;
	(2)  what proportion of students studying for A-levels in year 13 were at (a) private schools or colleges and (b) maintained schools or colleges in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Nick Gibb: The information requested is shown in the following table (we are not able to provide figures for independent colleges as these are not included in the School and College Performance Tables):
	
		
			 GCE A-level examination results (1)  for students (2)  aged 16-18 (3)  in England, 2010/11 (Revised) (4) , Year: 2010/11 (Revised), Coverage: England 
			 Percentage 
			  16 to 18-year old pupils studying GCE/Applied GCE A/AS level qualifications (a) At least three A or A* grades (b) At least 3 C grades (c) Grade C or above in each of mathematics, physics and chemistry 
			 Maintained mainstream schools/colleges(5) 87 68 81 73 
			 Independent schools(6) 13 32 19 27 
			 (1) Cumulative results obtained in academic years 2009/10 and 2010/11. (2 )Students entered for a GCE or applied GCE A-levels and Double Awards only. This data excludes Level 3 equivalent qualifications and AS levels. (3 )Age at the start of the 2010/11 academic year, i.e. 31 August 2010. (4 )An Applied GCE Double Award at grade A*A* counts as two grade A*s, AA counts as two grade As, an award at grade AB counts as one. The same applies with grade CD counting as one grade C in column (b). (5 )Includes city technology colleges and academies, excludes special schools, hospital schools, pupil referral units and alternative provision. Includes sixth-form colleges and other FE sector colleges. (6 )Excludes independent special schools and non-maintained special schools. Note: Where qualifications taken by a student are in the same subject area and similar in content, “discounting” rules have been applied to avoid double counting qualifications. Please see “Technical Notes” in statistical release available here: http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s001055/index.shtml Source: School and College Performance Tables 2010/11.

Pupil Numbers

Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of GCSE students achieving (a) 10 A grades or above (or points equivalent), (b) 10 B grades or above (or points equivalent), (c) the English Baccalaureate and (d) A or A* in mathematics were at private schools and maintained schools in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Nick Gibb: The information requested is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 GCSE and equivalent results in England 2010/11 
			 Year 2010/11 (1)  (Revised). Coverage: England 
			  Number of pupils at end of KS4 (2) (a) 10 A grades or above (including points equivalent) (3)  (%) (b) 10 B grades or above (including points equivalent) (3)  (%) (c) The English Baccalaureate (4)  (%) (d) A*-A in GCSE mathematics (5)  (%) 
			 Maintained mainstream schools 557,370 80 88 79 89 
			 Independent schools (excluding special schools) 47,931 20 12 21 11 
			 (1) Including attempts and achievement in previous academic years. (2) Number of pupils on roll at the end of key stage 4. (3) Includes GCSE and equivalent qualifications. (4) Includes English Baccalaureate qualifications. (5) Includes full GCSEs only (excludes iGCSEs).

Pupil Numbers

Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of students in year 11 were at (a) private and (b) maintained schools in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Nick Gibb: Information on the number of pupils in national curriculum year group 11 in state-funded schools is shown in the table. Information on national curriculum year group is not collected from general hospital schools or independent schools, therefore information on pupils aged 15 as at 31 August 2010 has been provided, with comparable information for state-funded schools.
	
		
			 State-funded primary, state-funded secondary, special schools, pupil referral units and independent schools (1,2) : January 2011, England 
			  National curriculum  y ear 11 Aged 15 (3) 
			  Number of pupils (4) Percentage of pupils Number of pupils Percentage of pupils (5) 
			 State funded schools 574,470 (6)— 575,125 92.1 
			 Independent schools (6)— (6)— 49,285 7.9 
		
	
	
		
			 Total (6)— (6)— 624,410 100.0 
			 (1 )Includes maintained primary, maintained secondary, academies, city technology colleges, maintained special schools, pupil referral units and independent schools (including independent special schools). (2 )Includes pupils who are sole or dual main registrations. In PRUs also includes pupils registered with other providers and further education colleges. (3 )Age is calculated as at 31 August 2010. (4 )Excludes pupils in general hospital schools. (5 )The number of pupils in each school type expressed as a percentage of all pupils aged 15. (6) Not available. Information on national curriculum year is not collected for independent schools and general hospital schools. Note: Pupil numbers have been rounded to the nearest 5. There may be discrepancies between the sum of constituent items and totals as shown. Source: School Census

Schools: Finance

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if his Department will issue guidance to local education authorities, academies and maintained schools giving clarification of the size of the budget to which the Government's undertaking to limit reductions in schools funding to no more than 1.5 per cent. below the previous year's allocation.

Nick Gibb: holding answer 24 January 2012
	The Department announced in December 2011 that there will be a minimum funding guarantee (MFG) for schools of -1.5% per pupil in 2012-13. This means that no school should see a reduction of more than 1.5% in its per pupil funding compared to 2011-12, before the pupil premium is added. Guidance on the MFG for 2012-13 is available on the Department for Education website at:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/adminandfinance/financialmanagement/schoolsrevenuefunding/settlement2013pupilpremium/a00200465/schools-funding-settlement-2012-13-including-pupil-premium
	The guidance includes a calculator to enable schools to calculate the impact of the MFG on their individual budget. The calculator lists the items that are outside the scope of the MFG. The guidance also sets out when a variation to the MFG must be approved by the local Schools Forum or the Secretary of State.